B-mode and color Doppler ultrasound features of salivary gland tumors

Abstract

Aim. The goal of the study was to assess the role of 2D and Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of salivary gland tumors.
Material and methods. The study group consisted of 57 patients presenting with salivary gland enlargement, as the main symptom. B-mode and color Doppler sonography (CDS) examinations were performed on each patient. The imaging features were compared with the pathology report, after surgical excision of the lesions. 51 salivary gland tumors were confirmed in 50 patients, the rest presenting other types of lesions, which created a pseudo-tumoral aspect on ultrasound.
Results. In this study group, 33 tumors were benign and 18 malignant, each category with several subtypes. Most benign tumors (87.8%) had sharp borders, but 39.9% of malignant tumors also presented sharp borders. Lobulation of the tumor was seen most frequently in the case of pleomorphic adenomas. The internal structure of the tumor was not a relevant indicator of malignancy. The CDS examination revealed that 60.6% of benign and 55.5% of malignant tumors were poorly vascularized; the well-vascularized category included all Warthin tumors, 15% of pleomorphic adenomas and 38.8% of malignant tumors.
Conclusion. Although ultrasound is very sensitive in identifying tumors of the salivary glands, there are no definite features to ensure a differential diagnosis between benign and malignant tumors.