{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Establishing correlations between normal pancreatic and submandibular gland ducts.
{Author}: Stimec BV;Ignjatovic D;Lobrinus JA;Stimec BV;Ignjatovic D;Lobrinus JA;Stimec BV;Ignjatovic D;Lobrinus JA;
{Journal}: BMC Gastroenterol
{Volume}: 22
{Issue}: 1
{Year}: Jul 2022 29
{Factor}: 2.847
{DOI}: 10.1186/s12876-022-02443-2
{Abstract}: <B>BACKGROUND: </B>The objectives of this study were to evaluate the relationship between ductal morphometry and ramification patterns in the submandibular gland and pancreas in order to validate their common fractal dimension.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>X-ray ductography with software-aided morphometry were obtained by injecting barium sulphate in the ducts of post-mortem submandibular gland and pancreas specimens harvested from 42 adult individuals.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>Three cases were excluded from the study because of underlying pathology. There was a significant correlation between the length of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) and the intraglandular portion of the right submandibular duct (SMD) (r = 0.3616; p = 0.028), and left SMD (r = 0.595; p < 0.01), respectively, but their maximal diameters did not correlate (r = 0.139-0.311; p > 0.05). Both dimensions of the SMD showed a significant right-left correlation (p < 0.05). The number of MPD side branches (mean = 37) correlated with the number of side branches of left SMD, but not with the right one (mean = 9). Tortuosity was observed in 54% of the MPD, 32% of the right SMD, and 24% of the left SMD, with mutual association only between the two salivary glands.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Although the length of intraglandular SMD and MPD correlate, other morphometric ductal features do not, thus suggesting a more complex relationship between the two digestive glands.