Normal fetal salivary glands at 14–16 weeks of gestation as observed by transvaginal ultrasound imaging

• Published in: Ultrasound in obstetrics & gynecology Vol. 35; no. 4; pp. 395 - 397
• Main Authors: Odeh, M., Ophir, E., Ardekian, L., Bornstein, J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.04.2010
• Subjects: Adult; Congenital defects; Data processing; Ear; early fetal scan; Female; Femur; fetal salivary glands; Fetuses; Gestational Age; Gynecology; Humans; imaging; Middle Aged; Morbidity; Obstetrics; Parotid gland; Parotid Gland - anatomy & histology; Parotid Gland - diagnostic imaging; Parotid Gland - embryology; Pregnancy; Salivary gland; Salivary Glands - anatomy & histology; Salivary Glands - diagnostic imaging; Salivary Glands - embryology; Submandibular gland; transvaginal ultrasound; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Ultrasound
• ISSN: 0960-7692; 1469-0705; 1469-0705
• DOI: 10.1002/uog.7546

Objectives Absence or congenital anomalies of the parotid glands are associated with significant long‐term morbidity. To date there are no published data on ultrasonographic detection of these defects in early pregnancy. We set out to demonstrate and measure the fetal parotid and submandibular salivary glands at 14–16 weeks using transvaginal ultrasound imaging. Methods During a routine fetal anomaly detection scan in 30 consecutive patients, an attempt was made to examine the fetal parotid and submandibular glands. The fetal head was scanned in transverse sections just below the fetal ears, and the area of the parotid and submandibular glands was inspected. The examination time was not prolonged for the purpose of measuring the salivary glands. The fetal biparietal diameter and the femur length were also documented. Results The median gestational age was 15.4 (range, 14.4–16.5) weeks. In all 30 patients examined, at least one pair of parotid and submandibular glands was clearly visualized and measured. In seven patients the parotid and submandibular glands were visualized on both sides. The median length of the parotid gland was 7.5 (range, 5.5–11.5) mm and that of the submandibular gland was 5.4 (range, 3.7–8.5) mm. Conclusions The fetal salivary glands can be demonstrated by transvaginal ultrasound imaging at 14–16 weeks of gestation. This is the first reported study presenting the normal values of salivary gland measurements, which may be important in detecting fetuses with congenital absence or other malformations of the glands. Copyright © 2010 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.