Ultrasound and computed tomography features of primary acinic cell carcinoma in the parotid gland: a retrospective study

Eur J Radiol. 2014 Jul;83(7):1152-1156. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2014.03.017. Epub 2014 Mar 29.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to characterize the ultrasound (US) and computed tomography (CT) findings of primary acinic cell carcinoma (AciCC) of the parotid gland.

Subjects and methods: Seventy patients (70 lesions) with histopathologically proven AciCC underwent US or CT examination. The following characteristics were assessed on US images: size, shape, border, echogenicity, echotexture, internal structure, distal acoustic enhancement, and vascularity. The following characteristics were evaluated on CT images: size, shape, border, density, CT values on plain and contrast-enhanced scans, enhancement pattern, enhancement degree, and surrounding bone destruction.

Results: On US images, lesions were irregular, well-defined, hypoechoic, heterogeneous, and poorly vascularized. On CT images, lesions were regular and well-defined, and showed slight heterogeneous enhancement.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that most primary AciCCs show benign features on US and CT.

Keywords: Acinic cell carcinoma; CT; Salivary gland neoplasms; US.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Carcinoma, Acinar Cell / diagnosis*
  • Child
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Observer Variation
  • Parotid Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Ultrasonography / methods*
  • Young Adult