Head and Neck Imaging

submandibular space, pathology

The differential diagnosis of a submandibular mass lesion is essentially lymphadenopathy head and neck , sialadenitis , or a primary submandibular gland neoplasm (see submandibular gland, pathology ). 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