Salivary Gland Scan

Parotid Scan

What To Think About

  • In North America, a salivary gland scan is rarely done. Most often, a CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is done to look at the salivary glands. An ultrasound scan also may be done to look at the salivary glands. But a salivary scan is the only test that can see how well the salivary glands are working.
  • Although a salivary gland scan may be done to evaluate dry mouth caused by Sjögren's syndrome, it usually is not used to diagnose this disease. But a salivary gland scan may be used to diagnose Sjögren's syndrome in a person who has rheumatoid arthritis.

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Author: Douglas Dana
Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Last Updated: November 12, 2007
Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Paul D. Traughber, MD - Radiology
Kenneth B. Sutherland, CD, BSc, MD, FRCPC - Diagnostic Radiology

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Topic Contents
 Test Overview
 Why It Is Done
 How To Prepare
 How It Is Done
 How It Feels
 Risks
 Results
 What Affects the Test
Arrow PointerWhat To Think About
 References
 Credits