Evaluation of Diffusion Characteristics of Parotid and Submandibular Glands With Neck MRI

Objectives This study aimed to examine the diffusion properties, signal characteristics and size of the parotid and submandibular gland in neck magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Methods In the study, neck MRI images of 80 patients, 40 men and 40 women, were examined. Area and “Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC)” measurements of bilateral parotid and submandibular glands were measured in MRI images. The findings were compared between genders and between two age groups: 18-50 years and 51-80 years. Results Left submandibular area measurements in men (394.4±107.1 mm 2 ) were found to be statistically significantly larger than in women (330.1±89.8 mm 2 ) (p<0.05). A significant difference was detected in right and left submandibular and parotid gland heterogeneity degrees according to the age groups of the patients (p<0.05). While grade 0 and grade 1 were more common in the 18-50 age groups, grade 1 and grade 2 were more common in the 51-80 age groups. In each area; and ADC measurements of the parotid glands; and submandibular glands bilaterally, there were positive correlations (p<0.05). However, there were negative correlations between ADC and area measurements in parotid glands (p<0.05). Conclusion As a result, it was observed that the heterogeneity in the gland increased as the age of the patients increased. Neck MRI is frequently used today in the diagnosis of salivary gland diseases, and it is thought that heterogeneity in the salivary gland with age may be helpful in the diagnostic steps in MRI.