Neuroimaging clinics of North America
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Salivary gland diseases in children are uncommon, and the relative incidence of pathologies is different than in adults. This article presents a comprehensive review of congenital and acquired disorders that affect the major salivary glands in the pediatric population, highlighting the imaging findings that are important in defining the appropriate diagnosis or narrowing of the differential diagnosis.
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Sialadenitis is among the most common conditions that affect the salivary glands. Inflammation of the salivary glands occurs as the end result of a variety of pathologic conditions, including infectious, autoimmune, and idiopathic causes. ⋯ Because there is significant overlap of underlying disease mechanisms and clinical presentations, radiologic evaluation often plays a significant role in evaluation. This article is a brief review of sialadenitis, including disease mechanisms, causes, and the practical imaging of the salivary glands.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · May 2018
ReviewCross-Sectional Imaging Techniques and Normal Anatomy of the Salivary Glands.
The salivary glands play an important role in digestion and oral hygiene, and give rise to a variety of benign and malignant pathologies. In suspected pathology, the goal of imaging is to confirm a lesion as being of salivary gland origin, narrow the list of differential considerations, define the extent of disease, and guide further management decisions. This review outlines the function, embryologic development, anatomy, and normal imaging features of the major salivary glands. The article also discusses imaging indications, the general approach to imaging the salivary glands, and the commonly used cross-sectional techniques used for evaluating the salivary gland.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · May 2018
ReviewA Review of Salivary Gland Malignancies: Common Histologic Types, Anatomic Considerations, and Imaging Strategies.
Major and minor salivary gland malignancies come in various shapes and sizes. They can present as palpable masses or can be detected incidentally when imaging patients for other indications. ⋯ Computed tomography (CT) and MR imaging are complementary tools in this respect and offer useful information to the proceduralist. Advanced imaging (diffusion-weighted imaging and PET-CT) and other modalities (eg, ultrasound) help with characterization, although biopsy or excision is often needed for definitive tissue diagnosis.
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MR imaging is the modality of choice in evaluation of salivary gland tumors. Postcontrast MR imaging is adequate for exact localization and extension of salivary gland tumors and multiparametric of diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced MR imaging helps in characterization of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. Imaging is important for preoperative localization, characterization of salivary gland tumors and locoregional extension, perineural spread, and nodal and distant staging of malignant salivary gland tumors. Imaging has a role in detection of tumor recurrence, monitoring patients after therapy, prediction of malignant transformation of benign tumors, and differentiation of salivary gland tumors from simulating inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.