Imaging of sialadenitis.

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Otolaryngology
• Pathology

Background:

• Sialadenitis involves inflammation or infection of salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, small glands).
• Imaging findings are diverse, including enlargement, atrophy, abscess, ductal changes, cysts, stones, and calcifications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the varied imaging findings in different types of sialadenitis.
• To highlight the role of imaging in diagnosing and managing salivary gland inflammation.

Main Methods:

• Review of imaging findings associated with various sialadenitis etiologies.
• Correlation of imaging features with clinical presentations and specific conditions.

Main Results:

• Imaging detects abscesses in acute bacterial sialadenitis.
• Ductal changes and cysts are seen in recurrent parotitis.
• Salivary stones and strictures are identifiable in obstructive sialadenitis.
• Bilateral submandibular enlargement suggests Immunoglobulin G4-related sialadenitis.
• Imaging supports staging and surveillance in Sjögren's syndrome.

Conclusions:

• Imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosing and characterizing sialadenitis.
• Specific imaging findings correlate with distinct causes and types of sialadenitis.
• Imaging is valuable for management, including post-treatment surveillance.