Diagnostic imaging for submandibular duct atresia: literature review and case report.

PURPOSE: The basic aim of this review was to retrospectively study the role of imaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging, in the diagnosis of submandibular duct (SMD) orifice atresia.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

From a literature review, data were collected from previously reported cases of imaged SMD atresia and from the present case.

RESULTS

Five images, 4 from the literature and 1 magnetic resonance image from our case, were obtained to illustrate the singular appearance of SMD orifice atresia.

CONCLUSIONS

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study, using a review of the literature concerning SMD orifice atresia, to call specific attention to the role imaging plays in illustrating the pathognomonic presence of the uniquely dilated and segmented salivary duct seen in SMD orifice atresia.