Functional evaluations of the parotid and submandibular glands using dynamic magnetic resonance sialography.

Purpose: To evaluate the functional differences between the parotid and submandibular glands using dynamic MR sialography.
Methods: In 30 volunteers, the time-dependent changes (dynamic changes) in the maximum area of the detectable parotid and submandibular gland ducts on dynamic MR sialographic images were analysed.
Results: Dynamic changes in the parotid gland ducts were detectable on MR sialographic images in all volunteers, but images of the submandibular gland ducts were detectable in only 23 volunteers. In addition, the dynamic changes in the submandibular gland ducts in these 23 subjects were less than those seen in the parotid gland ducts. A relationship was found between the changing ratio of parotid (Pearson r=0.448, P=0.013) or submandibular gland ducts (Pearson r=0.418, P=0.047) and the salivary flow rate during the stimulation period.
Conclusions: Dynamic MR sialography allows evaluation of rest and stimulated functioning and morphological evaluation of the parotid and submandibular glands. This technique appears to have many possible applications in the dental, medical and biological fields.