Ultrasonographic changes of submandibular glands in irradiated patients for head and neck cancers

Abstract

Ultrasonographic changes of submandibular glands in irradiated patients for head and neck cancers INTRODUCTIONRadiotherapy (RT) is an integral tool in the management of head and neck cancers (1) . Nevertheless, despite the advancement in technology and clinical knowledge, the use of RT for head and neck malignancies can cause major salivary gland (SG) damages because SG parenchyma is very sensitive to radiation, particularly the parotid gland (2) . Changes in the SGs depend on the volume and radiation dosage of the gland in the radiation field, but the mechanisms of these changes are unclear (2,3) .SG damage after RT includes lymphocytic infiltration, degeneration, necrosis, acinar cell loss, atrophy, fibrosis, and duct dilatation (4) . Moreover, reductions in the permeability and blood flow may be present (5) . There have been reports in the literature to accurately assess the effects of head and neck RT on SGs. For this purpose, there are various techniques such as survey, histological evaluation, sialometry,