Evaluation of parotid and submandibular salivary glands with ultrasonography in patients using antidepressants

The aim of our study is to examine the parotid and submandibular salivary glands of individuals using antidepressants by ultrasonography (USG) in terms of echogenicity, parenchymal structure, margin properties, blood supply and size characteristics, and to evaluate them in comparison with healthy individuals.In our study, both the right and left parotid and submandibular salivary glands of a total of 102 individuals, 51 healthy and 51 antidepressant users, were examined by USG. Echogenicity, parenchymal structure, margin features, blood supply features and dimensions were evaluated on the images.The average superio-inferior distance of the right submandibular gland in patients (13.9±1. mm) was significantly higher than the average value of the control group (13.4±1.0 mm) (p=0.02). The median medio-lateral distance of the left submandibular gland in patients (32.6 (25.6-36.1) mm) was significantly lower than the median value of the control group (33.1 (28.8-36.0) mm) (p =0.01). The average medio-lateral distance of the right parotid gland in patients (14.9±1.3 mm) is significantly lower than the average value of the control group (15.7±1.5 mm). The average medio-lateral distance of the left parotid gland in patients (14.9±1.3 mm) is significantly lower than the average value of the control group (15.6±1.6 mm). No statistically significant difference was observed in the other evaluated criteria.There is no significant difference between individuals using antidepressants and healthy individuals in terms of echogenicity, parenchymal structure, margin characteristics and blood supply of the submandibular and salivary glands. USG is an effective method for evaluating the salivary glands.