The various scintigraphic patterns of Warthin's tumor

The authors' experience with salivary gland imaging in patients with Warthin's tumor was reviewed and the scans correlated with the pathologic findings of each tumor in an attempt to explain the scintigraphic variants found. Most Warthin's tumors show increased perfusion on imaging. The predischarge static images have a low sensitivity, detecting only 33% of the tumors. Warthin's tumors may appear hot, warm, or cold on the predischarge images but invariably become hot in the postdischarge study, for a 100% sensitivity. Many tumors reveal internal warm or cold areas. These focal defects correlate well with the presence of intratumoral cysts. The presence of these mixed lesions should not lead the physician away from the diagnosis of Warthin's tumor.