[Ultrasonography. Interpretation of physiologic structures of the neck and face]

Ultrasonography is one of the newest diagnostic methods for the visualization of pathologic conditions of the soft tissues of the human body. This method has an indication also for the localization and diagnosis of benign and malignant lesions in the head and neck area. This study was done in order to inform the dentist about this new and completely safe diagnostic method and also, to present the sonographic image of the physiologic structures in the head and neck area. Ultrasonography was performed in 20 persons who had a free past medical history and no sign of disease in the head and neck area. Attention was made in order to include in the study persons of all ages, of different weight and of both sexes in order to include any possible variation of the anatomic order. The examination was done with Aloka S.S.D.-280 L.S. ultrasound camera and the probe applied was the US - 5 MHz and connected with the Echo-Coupler ECM-1, which was used for the first time in Greece. Ultrasonographic examination was made in the submandibular, sublingual, parotid and neck region and the physiologic structures, which were studied, included the thyroid, the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the carotid artery and jugular vein, muscles of the submandibular area, the sublingual, submandibular and parotid salivary glands and the masseter muscle.