New insights in the vascular supply of the human parotid gland - consequences for parotid gland-sparing irradiation.

BACKGROUND

Xerostomia is caused by irradiation for head and neck cancer, depending on the dose to the parotid gland. To investigate which part of the parotid gland has to be spared with radiotherapy, detailed information about the vascular supply of the parotid gland is necessary.

METHODS

Arterial vessels of the head of a human cadaver were colored. A 3-dimensional reconstruction of the parotid gland and the arterial vessels was made and analyzed.

RESULTS

Five arterial vessels were responsible for the vascular supply of the parotid gland: the posterior auricular artery, 2 branches so far unnamed, the superficial temporal artery, and the transverse facial artery. All arteries were branches off the external carotid artery, and supplied different parts of the parotid gland.

CONCLUSIONS

This study describes the detailed vascular supply of the human parotid gland. These results may contribute to improve parotid sparing radiotherapy, thus reducing complications such as xerostomia in the future.