Aim: The aim of this paper was to evaluate the role of net-enhancement (NE) of benign salivary glands with multiphase multidetector row CT (MDCT).
Methods: Forty-eight patients (M=27, F=21), aged 35-76 years old (mean =57) with benign parotid neoplasms were examinated with 4 MDCT, at 20'', 40'', 70'' e 9' after intravenous administration of contrast medium. NE was calculated after subtracting precontrast phase to postcontrast phases. Final data were compared to the histopathology.
Results: Thirty-six cases were pleomorphic adenomas (PA), 24 Warthin (WT). PA had a medium NE values of 23 HU, 74 HU, 53 HU e 34 HU at 20'', 40'', 70'' e 9' respectively. WT had a medium NE of 52 HU, 54 HU, 40 HU e 39 HU respectively at the same times. After subtracting precontrast phase to the delayed phase, with NE at 9' and cut-off of 34 HU, we have differenziate PA from WT and normal gland with specifity (SP) 87%, sensibility (SE) 60%, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of 75% and 59%; with NE at 20'' and cut-off of 54HU we have distingueshed WT from AP with SP 83%, SE 50%, PPV 75% and NPV 63%.
Conclusion: The study of NE can allow the characterization of benign parotid gland tumors.