Brief Article
Copyright ©2013 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Radiol. Aug 28, 2013; 5(8): 313-320
Published online Aug 28, 2013. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v5.i8.313
Different histological subtypes of parotid gland tumors: CT findings and diagnostic strategy
Zhi-Feng Xu, Fang Yong, Tian Yu, Ying-Yu Chen, Qiang Gao, Tao Zhou, Ai-Zhen Pan, Ren-Hua Wu
Zhi-Feng Xu, Fang Yong, Tian Yu, Ying-Yu Chen, Qiang Gao, Tao Zhou, Ai-Zhen Pan, Department of Radiology, the First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, Guangdong Province, China
Ren-Hua Wu, Department of Radiology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, Medical College of Shantou University, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
Author contributions: Xu ZF performed the majority of experiments and wrote the manuscript; Yong F, Yu T and Chen YY collected the data and analyzed images; Gao Q and Zhou T prepared the graphs; Pan AZ designed the study; and Wu RH was involved in editing the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Ai-Zhen Pan, MD, Department of Radiology, the First People’s Hospital of Foshan, Foshan 528000, Guangdong Province, China. pazhen2121@126.com
Telephone: +86-757-83162121 Fax: +86-757-83162121
Received: March 13, 2013
Revised: July 16, 2013
Accepted: July 30, 2013
Published online: August 28, 2013
Processing time: 168 Days and 19.3 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To present computed tomography (CT) findings of different histological subtypes of parotid gland masses in detail and to establish diagnostic strategy.

METHODS: From January 2009 to November 2011, 56 patients were collected through the histopathology and Picture Archiving and Communication Systems records, which revealed 5 basal cell adenoma (BCA), 16 pleomorphic adenoma (PA), 25 Warthin’s tumor (War-T), 3 Kimura’s disease (KD) and 7 parotid carcinoma (PCa) cases. All the CT images were retrospectively analyzed by two radiologists in consensus, based on their description of morphology (location, number, size, margin and fibrous capsule) and enhancement patterns of masses. In addition, the diagnostic efficiency of diagnostic strategy is tested.

RESULTS: War-T and BCA patients’ mean age was 59.9 ± 12.6 years and 58.4 ± 18.2 years; the significant difference was seen in War-T vs PA and BCA vs PA. About 40% of War-Ts presented with bilateral multifocal lesions, a higher ratio than others. Seventy two percent of War-Ts were limited to the superficial lobe, followed by BCA 60% and PA 40%. Vessel facing sign and enlarged lymph nodes were both frequent in War-T, which respectively accounts for 84% and 76% of cases. Rapid contrast enhancement and decreases were unique for War-T. BCA and PA showed obvious delayed enhancement. The diagnostic strategy of parotid gland tumor had a good diagnostic efficiency, with high accuracy, sensitivity and specificity.

CONCLUSION: Determination of the histological subtypes of parotid gland masses might be possible based on CT findings and clinical data. A diagnostic strategy with high diagnostic efficiency was established.

Keywords: Parotid gland tumor; Pleomorphic adenoma; Warthin’s tumor; Multi slice computed tomography

Core tip: In this study, the key computed tomography findings of different histological subtypes of parotid gland masses were summarized in detail and a diagnostic strategy with high diagnostic efficiency was established.