An indication for ultrasound of the salivary glands is painful swelling of the cheek area in front of the ears or discomfort felt backwards from the chin. The complaints usually worsen when eating and talking. A common symptom indicating pathologies of the salivary glands is also an unpleasant smell from the mouth and a chronic feeling of dry mouth. In the event of the above symptoms, you should see a doctor who will determine whether an ultrasound of the salivary glands and / or an ultrasound of the neck lymph nodes is necessary.

The most frequently diagnosed disease during ultrasound examination is salivary gland inflammation. Other pathologies include: congenital defects (e.g. incomplete development of the salivary gland), changes in the salivary glands associated with systemic and metabolic diseases, and benign and malignant neoplasms of the salivary glands. Ultrasound can also be used to detect the presence of a cyst, abscess or traumatic hematoma of the salivary gland.

The doctor puts a special head on the cheek in front of the ear, which emits ultrasound waves. On the monitor screen, the doctor observes the image of the salivary glands and adjacent structures of the neck obtained thanks to the reflection of ultrasound waves from the tissues. The test is non-invasive and completely safe for the patient. During ultrasound examination, the salivary glands are assessed on both sides of the face.