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Vanishing Parotid Tumors on MR Imaging
Eiji Matsusue1, Yoshio Fujihara1, Eiken Matsuda2
1Department of Radiology, Tottori Prefectural Central Hospital, Tottori 680-0901, Japan.
Yonago Acta Medica
|March 31, 2018
Summary
Parotid tumors can exhibit "vanishing" on various MRI sequences, not just specialized ones. This finding aids in diagnosing different parotid gland tumors using standard and advanced magnetic resonance imaging techniques.
Area of Science:
- Radiology
- Oncology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Oncocytoma is the only parotid gland tumor previously reported to appear isointense (vanishing) on fat-saturated T2 and T1 postcontrast gadolinium-enhanced MRI.
- This characteristic vanishing appearance is crucial for differentiating parotid tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the vanishing appearance of parotid tumors on conventional MRI with and without postcontrast enhancement.
- To assess vanishing on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) for improved diagnostic accuracy.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of ten homogeneously enhanced parotid gland tumors in 8 of 51 patients.
- Signal intensity comparisons between tumors and parotid glands using T1WI, T2WI, FS-T2WI, CE-T1WI, FS-CE-T1WI, DWI, and ADC mapping.
Main Results:
- Ten tumors included five Warthin tumors, two pleomorphic adenomas, two parotid carcinomas, and one oncocytoma.
- Nine of ten tumors showed vanishing on various MRI sequences; all showed hypointensity on T1WI and hyperintensity on DWI.
- Specific vanishing patterns were observed for Warthin tumors, oncocytoma, pleomorphic adenomas, and adenoid cystic carcinoma across different sequences.
Conclusions:
- Vanishing of parotid tumors is observable on conventional T2WI and CE-T1WI, in addition to specialized FS-T2WI, FS-CE-T1WI, and ADC mapping.
- These findings expand the utility of MRI in diagnosing diverse parotid gland tumors based on their signal intensity characteristics.
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