Age changes in CT values of human major salivary glands]

OBJECTIVE: To investigate CT values ranges of normal major salivary gland in different age groups and regularity of age changes. METHODS: CT values of normal parotid and submandibular glands, comparing with those of masseter and sterocleidomastoid muscles, were measured and analyzed in 100 cases with 4 different age groups. RESULTS: CT values of parotid and submandibular gland decreased with aging, whereas no significant age change in CT values occurred in the masseter and sterocleidomastoid muscles. The CT values of parotid and submandibular gland showed big differences in different age groups. This difference, however, became smaller after the case were divided in 4 groups reference to age. CONCLUSION: CT value ranges of normal major salivary gland should be determined according to the age. It is possible to take the contralateral gland as the control gland for CT diagnosis.