Diffusion-Weighted MR Imaging of the Parotid glands in healthy volunteers before and after a gustatory stimulation to quantify relative function

Diffusion Weighted MR Imaging has been used to quantify the function of parotid glands. Clinically gland function is measured using Scintigraphy, but MR offers a non-invasive, non-ionising alternative to this method. A DWI sequence for investigating parotid gland function is presented and tested in five healthy volunteers scanned on two occasions. We used four parameters to represent gland function: perfusion fraction (f_v), apparent perfusion coefficient (ADC_perfusion), diffusion fraction (f_d) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC_diffusion). Statistically significant changes were observed in f_v, f_d and ADC_diffusion in volunteers. Results indicate a normal range for these parameters.