Accuracy of diagnosis of salivary gland tumors with the use of ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging: a meta-analysis

Abstract

Objective: To compare ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for clinical differential diagnosis in patients with salivary gland tumor (SGT).

Study design: Six databases were used to search the literature published between 1982 and 2013. Histologic diagnosis was required as standard diagnosis. Pooled estimate for sensitivity, specificity, summary receiver-operating characteristic curve (SROC) and area under curve (AUC) were calculated and compared using STATA and Meta-Disc statistical software.

Results: Nineteen articles were included. Pooled sensitivity for US, CT, and MRI was 0.629 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-0.73), 0.830 (95% CI 0.74-0.90), and 0.807 (95% CI 0.73-0.87), respectively; pooled specificity for US, CT, and MRI was 0.920 (95% CI 0.89-0.94), 0.851 (95% CI 0.79-0.90), and 0.886 (95% CI 0.85-0.92), respectively. The AUC under SROC for US, CT, and MRI was 0.934 ± 0.058, 0.912 ± 0.889, and 0.903 ± 0.045, respectively.

Conclusions: CT is recommended, as it is an effective imaging tool for differential diagnosis in patients with primary SGT, and MRI is suggested for differential diagnosis between benign and malignant GSTs because of its highest sensitivity and specificity.