Quantitative diagnosis of salivary gland tumors with contrast-enhanced ultrasound--a preliminary study

Abstract

Objective: To quantitatively analyze the value of qualitative diagnosis of salivary gland masses with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS).

Study design: The enhanced sonographic features of 68 salivary gland masses were analyzed to differentiate them. The final diagnoses were confirmed by biopsy pathology.

Results: We observed from the perfusion kinetics of CEUS that most pleomorphic adenomas manifested lower enhancement and well-defined margins; most Warthin tumors presented with higher enhancement and well-defined margins; and most malignant tumors had higher enhancement and poorly defined margins. Their time-intensity curves showed pleomorphic adenomas were hypovascularized with a poor perfusion, whereas Warthin tumors and malignant tumors were hypervascularized with a rich perfusion. Additionally, malignant tumors showed significantly shortened time to peak and richer maximum signal intensity compared with Warthin tumors.

Conclusions: The features of salivary gland masses identified with CEUS were helpful in the differential diagnosis of salivary gland masses.