# Ultrasound Scanner-guided Salivary Glands assessment

- Link: https://sifsof.com/clinical-apps/salivary-glands/
- Published: 2021-04-06T21:53:46+00:00
- Author: Developer

Salivary glands make saliva and empty it into the mouth through openings called 
ducts. Saliva helps with swallowing and chewing. It can also help prevent infections
from developing in the mouth or throat. 

There are three pairs of major salivary glands: 

 * parotid glands on the insides of the cheeks
 * submandibular glands at the floor of the mouth
 * sublingual glands under the tongue

When there is a problem with the salivary glands or ducts, patients may have symptoms
such as swelling, dry mouth, pain, fever, and foul-tasting drainage into the mouth.

The most common problems in the salivary gland occur when the ducts become blocked
and saliva cannot drain.

#### **What are the more common** **problems?**

Many different problems can interfere with the function of the salivary glands or
block the ducts so they can’t drain saliva such as:

* Sialolithiasis: is a condition in which tiny salivary stones form in the glands.
The stones, called sialoliths, are made of calcium.

* Sialadenitis:** **is a painful infection. Staphylococcus, streptococcus, Haemophilus
influenzae or anaerobic bacteria are usually the cause. The condition is common 
in elderly people who have stones, but infants can develop sialadenitis during the
first few weeks of life.

*** **[Cysts](https://www.healthline.com/health/cyst#:~:text=A%20cyst%20is%20a%20sac,cysts%20are%20benign%2C%20or%20noncancerous.)
can develop after injuries, infections, stones or tumors. Sometimes babies are born
with cysts in the parotid gland because of a problem with the early development 
of the ears.

*** **[Tumors](https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/249141#:~:text=A%20tumor%20is%20a%20mass,not%20die%20when%20they%20should.%E2%80%9D):
Most salivary tumors are benign (noncancerous), but they can also be cancerous. 
Most salivary tumors grow in the parotid gland.

etc…

Ultrasonography (US) is useful for differential diagnosis of diseases of the salivary
glands. It is a valuable and useful method for the diagnosis of diseases. Not only
does it enable confirmation or exclusion of the presence of a mass, but in many 
cases, the nature of the underlying disease may also be suggested on the basis of
US findings.

## **Which Ultrasound Scanner is the best to be used in the salivary glands assessments?**

Using a high-frequency linear Ultrasound Scanner is the best for salivary glands
examination. For this reason, our research and development team recommends either
the USB Linear 6-15MHz Ultrasound Scanner SIFULTRAS-9.54 or the Color Doppler Mini
Linear WiFi Ultrasound Scanner [SIFULTRAS-3.51](https://sifsof.com/product/mini-linear-wifi-ultrasound-scanner-sifultras-3-51-with-needle-guide/)
to our Otorhinolaryngologist clients.

[SIFULTRAS-9.54](https://sifsof.com/product/usb-linear-6-15mhz-ultrasound-scanner-sifultras-9-54/)
is a Linear array Transducer that has multiple-frequency from 6 to 15MHz and a scanning
mode of  B, B+B, B+m with high-resolution imaging.

With its sealed head and its USB connector, a steady ultrasound signal makes the
signal transmission faster, an amazing image quality that guides you to a clear 
decision, easy to carry wherever you go. What is more, SIFULTRAS-9.54 has a great
feature which is simple printing and sharing images in which you can print the images
in few seconds and share them with colleagues from your handheld ultrasound via 
email or by the network. In addition to its replaceable cables that have a variable
length.

Moreover, the Mini Linear WiFi Ultrasound Scanner 10-12-14 MHz, SIFULTRAS-3.51 comes
with a needle guide holder. Hence, it can be directly set to the guide pin frame;
this might be needed for biopsy reason. 

The latter allows the practitioner to visualize the needle in real-time as it enters
the body and traverses to the desired location.   

To sum up, an ultrasound scanner is indeed a great help during salivary glands examination
and in the follow-up stage too. In which it detects masses and most importantly 
is that’s a safe and accurate technique.

References: [salivary glands](https://www.mskcc.org/), [salivary glands diseases and tumors](https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/s/salivary-gland-disease-and-tumors.html#:~:text=Key%20points-,The%20most%20common%20problems%20in%20the%20salivary%20gland%20occur%20when,removal%20of%20a%20salivary%20gland.),
[Salivary glands problems](https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/salivary-gland-problems-infections-swelling),
[US of the Major Salivary Glands: Anatomy and Spatial Relationships, Pathologic Conditions, and Pitfalls ](https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/rg.263055024)

 * ![USB Linear 6-15MHz Ultrasound Scanner SIFULTRAS-9.54 main](https://sifsof.com/
   wp-content/uploads/2019/12/SIFULTRAS-9.54-Linear-1-300x300.jpg)
 * USB Linear 6-15MHz Ultrasound Scanner SIFULTRAS-9.54
 * ![Linear Wireless Ultrasound Scanner SIFULTRAS-5.34 - Color Doppler main](https://
   sifsof.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Linear-color-portable-ultrasound-scanner-
   SIFULTRAS-5.34--300x300.jpg)
 * Linear Wireless Ultrasound Scanner SIFULTRAS-5.34 – Color Doppler
 * ![Color Doppler Mini Linear WiFi Ultrasound Scanner SIFULTRAS-3.51 main](https://
   sifsof.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/SIFULTRAS-3.51-wireless-mini-linear-color-
   doppler-ultrasound-scanner-300x300.jpg)
 * Color Doppler Mini Linear WiFi Ultrasound Scanner SIFULTRAS-3.51
