Quantitative analysis of the submandibular gland using computed tomography

To evaluate the normal variation in size of the submandibular gland from computed tomographic (CT) scans.

CT was performed parallel to the Frankfurt horizontal (FH) and mandibular (MP) planes in 130 subjects (64 men and 66 women) with healthy submandibular glands, six patients with sialoadenitis and four with masseteric hypertrophy.

The mean (s.d.) maximum cross-sectional area (MCSA) of the submandibular glands for FH was 324 (89) mm2 and for MP 364(101) mm2. There was a high correlation between individuals' right and left glands. There was no significant difference in the mean MCSA between the right and left, which varied by less than 10%. The mean (s.d.) volume of the gland was 8072 (2574) mm3. With a high correlation with mean MCSA in both scanning planes, the mean MCSA may be an indicator of the volume of the gland. MCSA increased significantly with body height, weight and body mass index, but decreased with age. The MCSA of the affected side in patients with sialoadenitis and masseteric hypertrophy was larger than both that of the normal side and the predicted values.

MCSA is a useful indicator of gland volume, and differences of greater than 10% between the two sides may be used in the diagnosis of submandibular gland disease.