[Ultrasonic diagnosis of the salivary glands]

Sonography of the salivary glands is a valuable diagnostic tool in acute and chronic sialadenitis, sialadenoses, lymphadenopathies and tumours lesions. A new examination technique is presented: ultrasound-guided fine needle biopsy. We report on our experience in 308 patients with parotid and in 47 patients with submaxillary gland diseases examined between 1982 and 1987. The diagnostic accuracy and limitations of sonography are discussed compared with sialography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.