Salivary glands of healthy children versus sialorrhea children, is there an anatomical difference? An ultrasonographic biometry

ObjectivesThere is no literature about the average size of the salivary glands in the pediatric population with drooling (sialorrhea). Studies have shown that some pathologies affect the functionality of the salivary glands. We assessed via ultrasonography the sizes of the submandibular and parotid glands in 9 healthy children who were not suffering from local or systemic diseases that could affect the salivary glands. We also compared this group with a group of 9 patients with sialorrhea.MethodsVolunteers were matched based on age, gender, and BMI. Body weight did not differ more than 20% from ideal weight. The parotid and submandibular glands of 9 patients with sialorrhea without any previous treatment were measured via ultrasound and matched to a healthy control. Children with various causes for drooling were included (neurological disorders, neuromuscular disorders, lack of oral motor control).ResultsDimensions of the parotid glands in drooling and healthy patients were: surface area 2.96 cm2 (SD ±0.90) and 2.81 cm2 (SD ±0.54); in depth 1.68 cm (SD ±0.24) and 1.61 cm (SD ±0.27); in the axis longitudinal to the horizontal mandibular ramus 3.18 cm (±0.46) and 3.15 cm (SD ±0.45) in drooling and healthy groups respectively. The means of submandibular glands of drooling and healthy patients measured in surface area: 3.20 cm2 (SD ±0.66) and 3.08 cm2 (SD ±0.65); anterior–posterior length 1.55 cm (SD ±0.23) and 1.46 cm (SD ±0.23), medio-lateral length 3.07 cm (SD ±0.39) and 3.07 cm (SD ±0.32). There was no statistical significance in comparison with the healthy group control.ConclusionThe parotid and submandibular salivary glands in the pediatric population do not differ in size in children with or without drooling. Measuring the glands at baseline and post treatment with botulinum toxin injections allows one to evaluate if there are changes in the gland related to the treatment.