ULTRASONOGRAPHY: MAXILLOFACIAL APPLICATIONS

Abstract

Ultrasonography (US) is one among the more commonly used imaging modalities for dignosing maxillafacial diseases and disorders. It’s an inexpansive, easy to use and non-invasive technique when we compare it with other maxillofacial imaging modalities like computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging, Positron emitting tomography etc. Use of US in maxillofacial region imaging has been explored much in recent years and found to be important in dignosing Solid and cystic swellings of head and neck region, space infections, intraosseous lesion of jaw etc. Development of highresolution US and US-elastography has stretched its uses in diagnosis of TMJ disorders, carcinoma of tongue, cervical lymph node metastasis etc. Other than these US have also been of use for Guided fine needle aspiration. Though in present scenario US is being used to diagnose multiple numbers of maxillofacial diseases but it is yet to have its share in maxillofacial imaging as a routine diagnostic aid.