[Analysis of Perfusion Parameters within Salivary Gland Tumors using Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound]

Objective: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) allows analyzing perfusion of salivary gland tumors more precisely in addition to conventional sonography. The evaluation of tumor dignity can be improved by CEUS. Currently an analysis of comparing perfusion parameters of different regions of interest (ROI) inside salivary gland tumors has not been reported. Materials and Methods: In this study 25 patients with tumors of the salivary glands were examined by B-Mode- Sonography, Color Doppler Sonography and CEUS. The parameters diameter, echogenicity, demarcation and especially perfusion were measured. We describe a new method for analyzing perfusion in 6 peripheral and 2 central ROI which were standardized distributed in the entire salivary gland tumors. The parameters were compared between different tumor dignities and in particular between the standardized ROI inside the tumors. Results: The results showed a hotspot of perfusion in the deep peripheral ROI with special perfusion characteristics. The differences of perfusion between benign and malignant salivary gland tumors were significant. Conclusions: This new method seems to improve validity of CEUS in interpreting tumor dignity.