Usefulness of ultrasonography and color Doppler sonography in the diagnosis of major salivary gland diseases

Abstract

le, ma anche per il fatto che non raramente si presentano con quadri clinici sovrapponibili (1-4). La scialografia è stata la prima tecnica diagnostica ad essere stata introdotta; ad essa si sono aggiunti l'esame radiologico diretto, la teletermografia, la scintigrafia, l'ecografia, la tomografia computerizzata (TC) e più recentemente la risonanza magnetica (RM) e la RM-scialografia, ognuna delle quali ha ormai assunto un ruolo ben definito nell'iter diagnostico (5-14). Tra le diverse metodiche di imaging impiegate per lo studio delle ghiandole salivari l'ecografia rappresenta, per la sua non invasività, l'ampia diffusione, l'ottima accettabilità da parte del paziente, nonché per il basso costo, la metodica di più frequente impiego e di più rapida e facile esecuzione (15-18). Essa consente la dettagliata valutazione morfologica delle ghiandole INTRODUZIONE La molteplicità e le notevoli difficoltà diagnostiche delle diverse affezioni che colpiscono una struttura in esame rendono, spesso, necessaria l'integrazione delle diverse tecniche di imaging. Lo studio delle ghiandole salivari ne rappresenta un esempio, a causa sia del numero e dell'entità delle condizioni patologiche che possono interessar- Reumatismo, 2006; 58(2):138-156 SUMMARY The algorithm for imaging of the salivary glands depends on the clinical scenario with which the patient presents to the clinician. Ultrasound has been increasingly used in recent years and thanks to high performance, easy to use apparatus, it can now be used for exploration of the salivary glands. This non invasive, painless and relatively inexpensive examination provides rapid visualisation of the salivary glands and is a useful adjunct to computed tomography and magnetic risonance imaging examination, particularly in tumour pathology. In recent years, publications have highlighted the potential uselfulness of salivary gland ultrasonography as a simple and non-invasive adjunctive test for the detection of gland involvement in Sjögren's syndrome (SS). SS is a chronic inflammatory disease of the salivary glands characterised by focal lymphocytic infiltrates that cause progressive destruction of the acinar structures. The findings of a previous study lead us to believe, in agreement with

A prospective study of three diagnostic sonographic methods in differentiation between benign and malignant salivary gland tumours

“…The highest PSV in benign tumours was 59 cm s 21 , which had 87.5% sensitivity, 85.7% specificity and 86% accuracy ( Table 2). Using the ROC curve analysis of PSV, the area under the curve was 0.9, which is highly significant.…”

“…[11][12][13]16,20,21 They declared that CDS scores provide an exact distinction between benign and malignant mass and that the procedure is a sensitive and very useful means of evaluating SG tumours, and it should always be performed to achieve a conclusive diagnosis.…”

Clinical and Ultrasonographic Characteristics of Salivary Mucoceles in 13 Dogs

“…Using ultrasonography, the need for more invasive imaging tests such as sialography could be decreased . In humans, ultrasonography has been described as the first‐line tool for diagnosing salivary pathology . Ultrasonography has been recommended as the only imaging technique for diagnosing salivary gland lesions smaller than 3 cm, while computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging have been recommended for larger lesions …”

The evaluation of the fibromyalgia patients

“…Rose bengal and/or fluorescein dyes are used by oculists to identify this hallmark feature. In recent years, salivary gland ultrasonography became a simple and noninvasive test for the detection of gland involvement in Sjogren's syndrome; color doppler sonography can also increase diagnostic accuracy (52). Both methods are important to differentiate Sjogren's syndrome from FM.…”