What kind of imaging technique is used to visualize the salivary glands?

Sialography is a specialized imaging technique specifically designed to visualize the salivary glands and the ducts connected to them. This method involves the injection of a contrast medium into the salivary ducts, allowing for detailed X-ray imaging of the glands. It helps to identify conditions such as blockages, stones, or tumors within the salivary glands.

While other imaging techniques like ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI can also provide information about the salivary glands, they don't offer the same level of detail regarding the ductal system. Ultrasound can show swelling or cysts, CT scans can detect larger masses or changes to the gland's structure, and MRI can provide soft tissue contrast, but none are specifically used for assessing the salivary ducts as accurately as sialography. Thus, sialography remains the definitive imaging technique for examining the salivary glands, making it the correct choice in this context.