MR sialography - Work in progress

PURPOSE: To develop a noninvasive method for demonstrating the main salivary gland duct systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors developed a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging protocol that uses a heavily T2-weighted (echo time, 750 msec), fat-suppressed pulse sequence and rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement. The technique was optimized to depict fluid within a two-dimensional thick slab. A preliminary evaluation was performed by examining the major salivary gland ducts in 10 asymptomatic volunteers and three symptomatic patients with known salivary duct abnormalities. RESULTS: The main parotid gland ducts were clearly demonstrated in all volunteers. The submandibular ducts were visible in all cases, although not always on projection images. In the three patients, the MR technique clearly demonstrated bilateral sialectasis, a calculus obstructing the left submandibular duct, and a fluid-filled ranula, respectively. CONCLUSION: Preliminary work indicates that this MR technique can successfully demonstrate both normal and abnormal parotid and submandibular gland duct systems and has several advantages over conventional x-ray sialography.