Image analysis of microsialograms of the mouse parotid gland: a study of the effect of contrast medium in experimentally induced sialoadenitis.

Quantitative image analysis of mouse parotid gland sialograms was achieved by conversion of the digital image to a histogram. The relationships between histogram pattern, microsialographic appearance and the amount of contrast medium infused were compared in normal glands and in experimentally induced sialoadenitis. Differences in the pattern enabled a distinction to be drawn between poor sialographic technique and genuine pathology.