Cone Beam CT Sialography for the Assessment of Submandibular Gland Structure in Diabetes Mellitus

To examine the anatomical and morphological structure and potential pathological conditions of the submandibular gland by performing Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) sialography in patients with diabetes mellitus.

The submandibular salivary glands of 25 diabetic and 25 healthy volunteers were examined by CBCT sialography. The images were evaluated to determine the main and lateral canals, the diameter of the main canal, the presence of ductal stenosis, central ductal dilatation, acinar pooling, the presence of sialoliths, and the visualization of the main and lateral canals and parenchyma.

There was no statistically significant difference between the patients and controls in the diameters of the primary ducts of submandibular glands and the visibility of secondary and tertiary ducts, sialoliths, ductal stenosis, and acinar pooling (p > 0.05). Nevertheless, ductal dilatation and the location of ductal dilatation were statistically more prevalent in diabetic patients (p = 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively).

The prevalence of sialolith, ductal stenosis, and peripheral ductal dilatation was higher among diabetic patients than in the control group, although this difference was not statistically significant. However, ductal dilatation was observed to be statistically significantly more prevalent in diabetics. CBCT sialography proved to be a valuable tool for demonstrating parenchymal changes.