Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2016 Mar;59(3):214-221. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2016.59.3.214.

Assessment of Age-Related Dimensions of the Salivary and Thyroid Glands Using Three-Dimensional Computed Tomography in Children

• Hwang SH
• Park IJ
• Jeong YM
• Lee YJ
• Kang JM
• Seo JH
• Joo YH

• KMID: 2160428
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2016.59.3.214

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to determine the dimensions of normal salivary and thyroid glands and assess their relationship with respect to age and sex using three-dimensional imaging in children.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
One hundred twenty patients were divided into four age groups: group 1 (0-5 years), group 2 (6-10 years), group 3 (11-15 years), and group 4 (16-20 years). The volume, thickness, width, and length of the each gland were measured.
RESULTS
The parotid glands exhibited a growth spurt in group 2. There were no differences between genders for parameters of the parotid gland in groups 1, 2, and 3 except in group 4. The length of submandibular gland exhibited a monomodal growth pattern, which increased until 20-years-of-age. There was a significant difference of volume and thickness between the right and left thyroid gland in all groups.
CONCLUSION
Volume and other parameters of the salivary and thyroid gland increase with age.

Keyword

Child; Computer-assisted image processing; Organ size; Salivary glands; Thyroid gland

MeSH Terms

Child*
Humans
Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
Imaging, Three-Dimensional
Organ Size
Parotid Gland
Salivary Glands
Submandibular Gland
Thyroid Gland*