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

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.