Head and Neck Imaging

Submandibular space

space below the mandible and mylohyoid muscle, bordered medially by the anterior belly of the digastric muscle, posteriorly by the posterior border of the submandibular gland, and reaching inferiorly to the level of the hyoid bone. The submandibular space consists mainly of fat, the submandibular gland and lymph nodes. Therefore, the differential diagnosis of a submandibular mass lesion is essentially lymphadenopathy head and neck, sialadenitis, or a primary submandibular gland neoplasm. CT or MRI are able in most cases to differentiate between a submandibular gland mass and an extrinsic mass. A mass intrinsic to the submandibular gland may be malignant, and the radiological study should include the cervical lymph nodes. Adenopathies may be caused by inflammation, but may also be due to lymphoma or metastatic squamous cell carcinoma head and neck. Also, see level system of lymph node classification.

RH