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[Pleomorphic adenoma of parotid gland: MR imaging findings]
1Department of Radiology, Minhang District Central Hospital, Shanghai 201100, China. zhangbei650213@yahoo.com.cn
Purpose:
To evaluate the diagnostic value of MR imaging and conventional contrast -enhanced MR imaging appearance in pleomorphic adenoma (PA) of the parotid gland.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed pre- and post-contrast MR images of pleomorphic adenoma with pathologic correlation in 17 cases (6 men and 11 women; median age, 50 years; range, 27-70 years) collected between 2005 and 2011 from our pathologic and radiologic database.
Results:
All of the tumors showed well-defined margins, and 12 patients with lobulations. The tumors in 16 patients had capsules. The average maximal diameter was 2.6cm (ranged from 1.0 to 6.3cm). Cystic changes were seen in 6 cases and calcification in 2 cases. On T1-weighted images (T1WI), all tumors showed homogeneously SI equal or lower to normal muscle. On fat-suppressed T2-weighted images (T2WI), all of them showed marked higher SI. On gadolinium-enhanced T1WI, all tumors demonstrated marked enhancement. The tumor showed homogenous enhancement in 4 cases and inhomogeneous in the remaining 13 cases. The enhancement pattern showed low wash-in.
Conclusions:
PA of the parotid gland tends to be an isolated and well-defined mass with lobulations, capsules and cystic and/or calcification changes on MR imaging. PA of the parotid gland had characteristics in delayed enhancement patterns.
Insights
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging effectively diagnoses pleomorphic adenoma (PA) of the parotid gland. These tumors typically present as well-defined masses with characteristic delayed enhancement patterns on MR imaging.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Pathology
Background:
- Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common benign salivary gland neoplasm.
- Accurate preoperative diagnosis is crucial for appropriate management of parotid gland masses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of MR imaging, including contrast-enhanced sequences, for parotid gland pleomorphic adenoma.
- To correlate MR imaging findings with histopathologic features.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of pre- and post-contrast MR images from 17 pathologically confirmed cases of parotid gland PA.
- Analysis of imaging features including margins, lobulation, capsule, cystic changes, calcification, signal intensity, and enhancement patterns.
Main Results:
- All PAs exhibited well-defined margins, with 12 showing lobulations and 16 having capsules.
- On T1WI, tumors were isointense or hypointense to muscle; on T2WI, they showed markedly high SI.
- Gadolinium-enhanced T1WI revealed marked enhancement, predominantly inhomogeneous, with a delayed enhancement pattern.
Conclusions:
- MR imaging demonstrates characteristic features of parotid gland PA, including well-defined, lobulated masses with capsules.
- Delayed enhancement patterns on contrast-enhanced MR imaging are a key feature of pleomorphic adenoma.
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