Prediction of malignancy of submandibular gland tumors with apparent diffusion coefficient

This study was performed to predict malignancy of submandibular gland tumors using the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).

In total, 31 patients (19 male, 12 female; age, 16-71 years) with solid submandibular gland tumors were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent single-shot echo-planar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the submandibular gland region. ADC maps of the submandibular gland were reconstructed. The ADC value of the submandibular gland tumors was calculated. A freehand region of interest encompassing the homogenous tumor and solid part of the heterogeneous tumor was established.

The mean ADC for submandibular gland malignancy (1.15 ± 0.09 × 10^-3 mm²/s) was significantly lower than that for benignancy (1.55 ± 0.25 × 10^-3 mm²/s, P = 0.001). An ADC of 1.26 × 10^-3 mm²/s could predict malignancy of submandibular gland tumors with an area under the curve of 0.869, accuracy of 84%, sensitivity of 88%, and specificity of 81%.

The ADC is a noninvasive imaging parameter that can be used for prediction of malignancy of submandibular gland tumors.