MR SIALOGRAPHY - INITIAL EXPERIENCE USING A T2-WEIGHTED FAST SE SEQUENCE

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate an MR technique optimiz ed for imaging of the parotid gland ductal system. Method: The pulse s equence was optimized in 10 volunteers to depict static or nearly stat ic fluid in the parotid ductal system. A heavily T2-weighted fast SE s equence (TR 3,600 ms/TE 800 ms) with a slice thickness of 30-40 mm usi ng an 8 cm surface coil allowed depiction of the fluid-filled parotid duct. Thirteen patients with benign as well as malignant parotid gland pathologies were examined: sialadenitis (n = 2), sialadenosis (n = 3) , Heerfordt syndrome (n = 1), pleomorphic adenoma(n = 2), parotid carc inoma (n = 1), lymphoepithelial carcinoma (n = 1), cystadenolymphoma ( n = 2), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 1). Results: The heavily T2-weig hted projection image yielded good quality sialographic images. The ma in duct and primary branching ducts were clearly depicted in all norma l cases. The main duct was visualized in all patients. Intra-and extra glandular duct widening and ductal strictures were well depicted. Sial olithiasis with a calculus in the main duct was correctly demonstrated in one case. Conclusion: MR sialography is noninvasive and does not d epend on duct cannulation or contrast agent injection. Initial experie nce with a thick slice projection technique indicates that MR sialogra phy can be successfully applied to image the parotid gland ductal syst em.