Submandibular sialolithiasis with CT and scintigraphy: CT values and salivary gland excretion in the submandibular glands

PURPOSE: Sialolithiasis is one of the most prevalent large obstructive disorders of the submandibular glands. The aim of this study was to investigate submandibular sialolithiasis with computed tomography (CT) and scintigraphy, with a particular focus on the relationship between CT values of the submandibular glands and their excretion rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients with submandibular sialolithiasis who underwent CT and salivary gland scintigraphy were included in this study. The relationship between the CT values of submandibular glands with and without sialoliths and salivary gland excretion measured using salivary gland scintigraphy was statistically analyzed. Dynamic images were recorded on the computer at 1 frame per 20 seconds. The salivary gland excretion fraction was defined as A (before stimulation test [counts/frame]) / B(after stimulation test [counts/frame]) using time-activity curves. RESULTS: The CT values in the submandibular glands with and without sialoliths was 9.9±44.9 Hounsfield units (HU) and 34.2±21.8 HU, respectively (P=.233). Regarding the salivary gland excretion fraction using scintigraphy, the A/B value in the submandibular glands with sialoliths (1.09±0.23) was significantly lower than in the submandibular glands without sialoliths (1.99±0.57, P=.000). CONCLUSION: Assessments of the CT values and the salivary gland excretion fraction using scintigraphy in the submandibular glands seem to be useful tools evaluating submandibular sialolithiasis.