Contemporary imaging of salivary glands

Parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands are the major paired salivary glands. Imaging of the salivary glands has an important role in examination of morphology and function, to establish a diagnosis, for treatment, and for surgical planning. There are several options for diagnostic imaging: plain radiography, sialography, ultrasound (US), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), salivary gland scintigraphy and positron emission tomography (PET). The aim of this paper is to analysis these modalities in conjunction with common salivary gland diseases.