[Salivary gland ultrasonography].

Many pathologic conditions of the salivary gland are diagnosed clinically. Until a few years ago, supplementary radiographic methods have only included plain film radiography and sialography. Both methods vary in usefulness, and the indications are controversial. During the last two decades other imaging methods, both radiographic and non-radiographic, have been used, and have provided clinically useful information. Probably the most useful of these is ultrasonography. Because the salivary glands are superficial structures they lend themselves well to ultrasonographic evaluation. Although sialography should still be the method of choice for some conditions, ultrasonography alone will often give the correct diagnosis. The purpose of this article is to describe the role of sonography for imaging pathologic conditions of the salivary glands.