Characterization of parotid gland tumors using diffusion-relaxation correlation spectrum imaging: a preliminary study.

AIM: To assess the performance of diffusion-relaxation correlation spectrum imaging (DR-CSI) in the characterization of parotid gland tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-five pleomorphic adenomas (PA) patients, 9 Warthin's tumors (WT) patients and 7 malignant tumors (MT) patients were prospectively recruited. DR-CSI (7 b-values combined with 5 TEs, totally 35 diffusion-weighted images) was scanned for pre-treatment assessment. Diffusion (D)-T2 signal spectrum summating all voxels were built for each patient, characterized by D-axis with range 0∼5 × 10-3 mm2/s, and T2-axis with range 0∼300ms. With boundaries of 0.5 and 2.5 × 10-3 mm2/s for D, all spectra were divided into three compartments labeled A (low D), B (mediate D) and C (high D). Volume fractions acquired from each compartment (VA, VB, VC) were compared among PA, WT and MT. Diagnostic performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic analysis and area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: Each subtype of parotid tumors had their specific D-T2 spectrum. PA showed significantly lower VA (8.85 ± 4.77% vs 20.68 ± 10.85%), higher VB (63.40 ± 8.18% vs 43.05 ± 7.16%), and lower VC (27.75 ± 8.51% vs 36.27 ± 11.09) than WT (all p<0.05). VB showed optimal diagnostic performance (AUC 0.969, sensitivity 92.00%, specificity 100.00%). MT showed significantly higher VA (21.23 ± 12.36%), lower VB (37.09 ± 6.43%), and higher VC (41.68 ± 13.72%) than PA (all p<0.05). Similarly, VB showed optimal diagnostic performance (AUC 0.994, sensitivity 96.00%, specificity 100.00%). No significant difference of VA, VB and VC was found between WT and MT. CONCLUSIONS: DR-CSI might be a promising and non-invasive way for characterizing parotid gland tumors.

The differential diagnosis of lymphoepithelial lesion of the salivary gland.

The differential diagnosis of salivary gland lesions with epithelial components and lymphoid stroma is often challenging. Salivary gland carcinoma with tumor-associated lymphoid proliferation, tumors composed of both epithelial and lymphoid components, lymphoid neoplasms in the salivary gland, and inflammatory lesions are all included in this category. It encompasses inflammatory lesions and neoplastic lesions. With the exception of Warthin tumors, these lesions are rare, making them more difficult to diagnose. Carcinoma showing thymus-like elements has recently been reported in the salivary gland. Similar to thymic carcinoma, tumor cells are positive for CD5 and are accompanied by T lymphocytes.

Growth rates over time of unoperated parotid benign tumors.

INTRODUCTION: The treatment of parotid benign tumor is in principle surgery, but observation may be necessary in some cases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the growth rates over time of unoperated parotid benign tumors. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 63 patients with unoperated parotid benign tumors diagnosed at our institution between January 2010 and December 2022. RESULTS: Forty-nine of the 63 patients had a Warthin tumor and 13 patients had a pleomorphic adenoma. On average, the unoperated parotid benign tumors grew 0.02 cm in length and 0.4 cm3 in volume per year. Compared to pleomorphic adenomas, Warthin tumors were more predominant in male patients and in those with a smoking history and a longer duration of smoking history; patients with Warthin tumors were also followed up longer (p < 0.05). However, the length and volume growth rates of unoperated Warthin tumors and pleomorphic adenomas did not significantly differ. CONCLUSION: Surgery is the standard treatment for parotid benign tumors. However, small benign parotid tumors identified during preoperative examination can be observed through close follow-up, taking into account the patient's medical and general condition.

Differentiation of salivary gland tumours using diffusion-weighted image-based virtual MR elastography: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Differentiation among benign salivary gland tumours, Warthin tumours (WTs), and malignant salivary gland tumours is crucial to treatment planning and predicting patient prognosis. However, differentiation of those tumours using imaging findings remains difficult. This study evaluated the usefulness of elasticity determined from diffusion-weighted image (DWI)-based virtual MR elastography (MRE) compared with conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in differentiating the tumours. METHODS: This study included 17 benign salivary gland tumours, 6 WTs, and 11 malignant salivary gland tumours scanned on neck MRI. The long and short diameters, T1 and T2 signal intensities, tumour margins, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values, and elasticity from DWI-based virtual MRE of the tumours were evaluated. The interobserver agreement in measuring tumour elasticity and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were also assessed. RESULTS: The long and short diameters and the T1 and T2 signal intensities showed no significant difference among the 3 tumour groups. Tumour margins and the mean ADC values showed significant differences among some tumour groups. The elasticity from virtual MRE showed significant differences among all 3 tumour groups and the interobserver agreement was excellent. The area under the ROC curves of the elasticity were higher than those of tumour margins and mean ADC values. CONCLUSION: Elasticity values based on DWI-based virtual MRE of benign salivary gland tumours, WTs, and malignant salivary gland tumours were significantly different. The elasticity of WTs was the highest and that of benign tumours was the lowest. The elasticity from DWI-based virtual MRE may aid in the differential diagnosis of salivary gland tumours.

Value of T2-weighted-based radiomics model in distinguishing Warthin tumor from pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid.

OBJECTIVES: The differentiation of Warthin tumor and pleomorphic adenoma before treatment is crucial for clinical strategies. The aim of this study was to develop and test a T2-weighted-based radiomics model for differentiating pleomorphic adenoma from Warthin tumor of the parotid gland. METHODS: A total of 117 patients, including 61 cases of Warthin tumor and 56 cases of pleomorphic adenoma, were retrospectively enrolled from two centers between January 2010 and June 2022. The training set included 82 cases, and the validation set included 35 cases. From T2-weighted images, 971 radiomics features were extracted. Seven radiomics features remained after a two-step selection process. We used the seven radiomics features and clinical factors through multivariable logistic regression to build radiomics and clinical models, respectively. A radiomics-clinical model was also built that combined the independent clinical predictors with the radiomics features. Through ROC curves, the three models were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: In the radiomics model, AUCs were 0.826 and 0.796 in training and validation sets, respectively. In the clinical model, the AUCs were 0.923 and 0.926 in the training and validation sets, respectively. Decision curve analysis revealed that the radiomics-clinical model had the best diagnostic performance for distinguishing Warthin tumor from pleomorphic adenoma of the parotid gland (AUC = 0.962 and 0.934 for the training and validation sets, respectively). CONCLUSION: The radiomics-clinical model performed well in differentiating pleomorphic adenoma from Warthin tumor of the parotid gland. KEY POINTS: • The clinical model outperformed the radiomics model in distinguishing pleomorphic adenoma from Warthin tumor of the parotid gland. • The radiomics features extracted from T2-weighted images could help differentiate pleomorphic adenoma from Warthin tumor of the parotid gland. • The radiomics-clinical model was superior to the radiomics and the clinical models for differentiating pleomorphic adenoma from Warthin tumor of the parotid gland.

Enhanced CT combined with texture analysis for differential diagnosis of pleomorphic adenoma and adenolymphoma.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to evaluate the worth of the general characteristics of enhanced CT images and the histogram parameters of each stage in distinguishing pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and adenolymphoma (AL). METHODS: The imaging features and histogram parameters of preoperative enhanced CT images in 20 patients with PA and 29 patients with AL were analyzed. Tumor morphology and histogram parameters of PA and AL were compared. Area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and subject operational feature specificity (ROC) analysis were used to determine the differential diagnostic effect of single-stage or multi-stage parameter combinations. RESULTS: The difference in CT value and net enhancement value of arterial phase (AP) were significant (p < 0.05); Flat sweep phase (FSP), AP mean, percentiles, 10th, 50th, 90th, 99th and arterial period variance and venous phase (VP) kurtosis in the nine histogram parameters of each period (p < 0.05). An analysis of the ROC curve revealed a maximum area beneath the curve (AUC) in the 90th percentile of FSP for a single-parameter differential diagnosis to be 0.870. The diagnostic efficacy of the mean value of FSP + The 90th percentile of AP + Kurtosis of VP was the best in multi-parameter combination diagnosis, with an AUC of 0.925, and the sensitivity and specificity of 0.900 and 0.850, respectively. CONCLUSION: The histogram analysis of enhanced CT images is valuable for the differentiation of PA and AL. Moreover, the combination of single-stage parameters or multi-stage parameters can improve the differential diagnosis efficiency.

Trend changes in the incidence of benign parotid tumours in the last 30 years in a Spanish population.

PURPOSE: To study the demographics and clinical characteristics of benign parotid tumours, focusing on the evolution of the incidence of Warthin tumour (WT) in recent years. METHODS: A retrospective observational study is designed of patients diagnosed with a benign parotid tumour in a single tertiary hospital centre, from 1994 to 2021. The evaluation of the relationship between the different variables, and the changes in tumour incidence, is carried out using an analysis of standardized residuals. RESULTS: The study evaluated 279 patients, and the total of benign parotid tumours was 291. The most frequent type of tumour was pleomorphic adenoma (PA) (52.7%), followed by WT (37.6%). WT was more frequent in men (79%), and PA in women (55.8%). Smoking history is significantly high in patients with WT (83%), as well as mid-age, compared to PA. CONCLUSIONS: It seems to be an increase in the proportion of WT compared to PA in recent years. These changes can be concerning tobacco use and older patients at diagnosis in our series.

The characteristics of Polish patients with salivary gland tumors: a ten-year single-center experience.

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to provide insights into the characteristics of Polish patients with different salivary gland pathologies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study conducted at a single center, including patients who underwent surgery for salivary gland pathologies between 2012 and 2022. RESULTS: This study included 239 patients who underwent surgery for salivary gland tumors or inflammatory diseases. Malignant tumors were diagnosed in 9.8% of participants, while 64% had benign tumors and 21% suffered from inflammation. The occurrence of complications after surgery was relatively low, with 9.9% of participants experiencing slight facial weakness or mild dysfunction, and 3% experiencing complete paralysis of the facial nerves. Significant differences were observed between patients with cancers and those with benign tumors and inflammation in terms of age. Cancers were more common in females (67% vs. 33%) and predominantly localized in the parotid glands (95%). CONCLUSION: Benign tumors, such as Warthin's tumors and polymorphous adenoma, were predominantly found in the parotid glands of patients aged 39-72 years. On the other hand, inflammatory diseases were primarily localized within the submandibular glands of males aged 40-68 years. Additionally, the presence of a malignant tumor was associated with longer hospitalization periods related to surgery and a higher risk of severe complications. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study on Polish patients with salivary gland tumors provides valuable clinical insights that can aid in diagnosis, treatment planning, patient counseling, and further research in the field of oncology. It contributes to the overall understanding of salivary gland tumors, potentially benefiting both patients and healthcare providers.

Warthin-like papillary carcinoma: Case report.

Warthin-like papillary thyroid carcinoma is a rare variant of papillary carcinoma with a very good prognosis. It is often associated with lymphocytic thyroiditis. Due to its typical histological picture resembling Warthin's salivary gland tumor, the histological diagnosis is not difficult, usually does not require an accompanying immunohistochemical examination and is based on the presence of nuclear features typical of papillary carcinoma and the presence of oncocytes in a background of rich lymphocyte infiltrate. The preoperative cytologic examination is challenging, as many other lesions may have a similar picture. Women are more likely to get affected. It appears a decade earlier than the classic variant. Clinically, it presents similarly to a conventional papillary carcinoma. In our case report, we would like to present the case of a 56-year-old woman with non-toxic multinodular goiter, in whom the presence of this rare variant of papillary carcinoma was revealed by histological examination.

Influence of post-label delay time on the performance of 3D pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging in the characterization of parotid gland tumors.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of post-label delay times (PLDs) on the performance of 3D pseudo-continuous arterial spin labeling (pCASL) magnetic resonance imaging for characterizing parotid gland tumors and to explore the optimal PLDs for the differential diagnosis. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Fifty-eight consecutive patients with parotid gland tumors were enrolled, including 33 patients with pleomorphic adenomas (PAs), 16 patients with Warthin's tumors (WTs), and 9 patients with malignant tumors (MTs). 3D pCASL was scanned for each patient five times, with PLDs of 1025 ms, 1525 ms, 2025 ms, 2525 ms, and 3025 ms. Tumor blood flow (TBF) was calculated, and compared among different PLDs and tumor groups. Performance of TBF at different PLDs was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: With an increasing PLD, TBF tended to gradually increase in PAs (p < 0.001), while TBF tended to slightly increase and then gradually decrease in WTs (p = 0.001), and PAs showed significantly lower TBF than WTs at all 5 PLDs (p < 0.05). PAs showed significantly lower TBF than MTs at 4 PLDs (p < 0.05), except at 3025 ms (p = 0.062). WTs showed higher TBF than MTs at all 5 PLDs; however, differences did not reach significance (p > 0.05). Setting a TBF of 64.350 mL/100g/min at a PLD of 1525 ms, or a TBF of 23.700 mL/100g/min at a PLD of 1025 ms as the cutoff values, optimal performance could be obtained for differentiating PAs from WTs (AUC = 0.905) or from MTs (AUC = 0.872). CONCLUSIONS: Short PLDs (1025 ms or 1525 ms) are suggested to be used in 3D pCASL for characterizing parotid gland tumors in clinical practice. KEY POINTS: • With 5 different PLDs, 3D pCASL can reflect the variation of blood flow in parotid gland tumors. • 3D pCASL is useful for characterizing PAs from WTs or MTs. • Short PLDs (1025 ms or 1525 ms) are suggested to be used in 3D pCASL for characterizing parotid gland tumors in clinical practice.

Nonsebaceous lymphadenoma arising as a painless subcutaneous nodule on the eyebrow.

Salivary gland tumors can rarely present in skin excision specimens and can pose a diagnostic challenge to dermatopathologists. We present an exceptional case of a salivary gland type nonsebaceous lymphadenoma presenting as a painless subcutaneous nodule on the right medial eyebrow of a 16-year-old male, mimicking a primary cutaneous adnexal neoplasm. Histologic evaluation revealed a well-circumscribed to partially encapsulated nodule with a marked lymphoid infiltrate including reactive germinal centers. Within the lymphoid component was a central epithelial cystic neoplasm with tubuloglandular and basaloid differentiation. There was no myoepithelial component to suggest a chondroid syringoma. No sebaceous differentiation was present. The overall histopathological and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with a nonsebaceous lymphadenoma. Dermatopathologists should consider salivary gland type lymphadenoma as a differential diagnosis when encountering a subcutaneous lesion with lymphoid, cystic, glandular, and basaloid components.

Clinical Diagnostic Application of Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound in Focal Lesions of the Salivary Glands.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical diagnostic value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for focal benign and malignant lesions of the salivary glands, as well as for common benign lesions. METHODS: A total of 91 patients with focal lesions of the salivary glands were included in this study. In this study, CEUS was used to study the differential diagnosis of focal benign and malignant lesions of the salivary gland and the most common benign tumors, that is, pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and adenolymphoma. RESULTS: The differences between focal benign and malignant lesions in the salivary glands were statistically significant (P < .05) in terms of qualitative CEUS indicators, enhancement pattern, enhancement homogeneity, enhancement margin, and enhanced lesion size, whereas the differences were not statistically significant (P > .05) in terms of wash-in and wash-out pattern, enhancement degree. Blurred margins and increased size of the lesion after enhancement are two CEUS features independently associated with focal malignant lesions of the salivary gland. The differences between salivary gland PA and adenolymphoma were statistically significant (P < .05) in terms of wash-in pattern, enhancement degree, enhancement homogeneity, and enhancement pattern, but not in terms of wash-out pattern, enhancement margin, and enhanced lesion size (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: As an economical, convenient, and safe imaging method, CEUS has important clinical value in distinguishing benign and malignant salivary glands.

Experience with follow-up strategy in selected patients with Warthin tumour diagnosed by ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB).

PURPOSE: Warthin tumour (WT) management options comprise surgery or follow-up. The purpose of this study was to asses our experience with the follow-up strategy in selected patients with an ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) showing WT. METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with WT using FNAB between 1.1.2006 and 31.12.2019. Patients were divided into three groups according to the therapeutic approach-immediate surgery, follow-up or surgery and follow-up. RESULTS: 323 patients were diagnosed with WT and met the study's inclusion criteria (154 women, 47.7% and 169 men, 52.3%). 192 patients were operated right after the diagnosis, 109 patients were observed with their first detected tumour and 22 patients had parotid WT surgery and were in the wait-and-scan protocol with a contralateral tumour, recurrence or both. The growth rate (GR) of observed WT was highly variable (mean GR 1.0 mm/year (5%), median GR 0.8 mm (9%), range - 19.7 to +20.0 mm/year). From 131 patients in the follow-up group, 19 patients underwent surgery and definitive histology revealed 17 WTs and 2 adenocarcinomas. However, these 2 patients had changes in sonographic findings at their next control. The mean observation time was 44.7 months (range 12-138 months) in patients followed exclusively at our institution and 50.9 months (range 12-110 months) in patients observed in cooperation with an otorhinolaryngologist at the patients' place of residence. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided FNAB is an accurate and simple method in WT diagnosis and based on its result a follow-up strategy can be chosen for selected patients with WT.

Perfusion analysis of benign parotid gland tumors by contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS).

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of parotid gland tumors is sometimes challenging due to their diversity and pleomorphic histological appearance. B-scan sonography along with color-coded duplex sonography is the gold standard in the diagnostic workup of these lesions, whereas histopathology is to date the gold standard for the final diagnosis. To date no single imaging technique provides the chance for an art-diagnosis with highly diagnostic accuracy. Contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) on the other hand provides information of the perfusion down to the capillary level. Currently there are only a few papers published with systematical examination of the perfusion in benign parotid gland tumors and its diagnostic significance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: One hundred patients with a parotid gland tumor were examined. The examinations included conventional B-scan sonography, color-coded duplexsonography along with contrast enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS). B-scan sonographic parameters, i.e. echogenicity, shape, size, demarcation, and borders of a lesion along with vascularization estimated by color-coded-duplexsonography were analyzed. Analysis of quantitative CEUS parameters was performed using 8 regions of interest (ROI), which were standardized located throughout the entire tumors. The perfusion parameters were analyzed for particular tumor entities. Qualitative CEUS analysis with estimating the perfusion pattern was additionally performed. RESULTS: Histological examination revealed benign tumors in 92 cases, with pleomorphic adenomas and Warthin´s tumors were the most frequent entities. Malignant conditions were found in 8 cases. CEUS revealed a centripetal perfusion pattern in malignant tumors significantly more frequently than in benign tumors. CEUS showed a significant heterogenic perfusion in all tumors, with a higher perfusion in the medial parts of the tumors and in some cases also in the center. Perfusion patterns of PA and WT were different. WT displayed centrifugal, centripetal, and central diffuse perfusion more often than PA, whereas in PA perfusion often was limited to the capsule or periphery. Oncocytoma had the highest perfusion values. Intraglandular cysts showed no intralesional perfusion. CONCLUSIONS: CEUS analysis in different parts of benign tumors revealed a significant heterogeneity in tumor perfusion. Some perfusion pattern could be identified which might be characteristic for particular lesions. Based on this, the diagnostic accuracy of CEUS in the differential diagnosis of parotid gland tumors can be increased. In particular, the perfusion analysis within the tumors using ROIs located standardized throughout the entire tumor provides additional information which are important for the art diagnosis and in differentiation of tumor entity.

A rare case of sebaceous lymphadenoma: Cytohistological correlation of preoperative cytomorphologic findings.

We are presenting a case of a 74-year-old female with a parotid gland mass. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) of the mass demonstrated cohesive groups of epithelial cells with overall bland-appearing nuclei and abundant vacuolated cytoplasm, consistent with sebaceous cells, in a background of polymorphous lymphocytes, scattered histiocytes, and adipose tissue. Immunostains showed that the epithelial cells stain positive for p63, but negative for CD117 and DOG-1. CD3 and CD20 showed a mixture of T- and B-cells. On the PAP-stained slides, there were numerous sac-like structures, consistent with myospherules. These findings were suggestive of neoplasm with sebaceous differentiation. The main differential diagnosis included sebaceous adenoma, sebaceous lymphadenoma, and other benign lesions with sebaceous differentiation. The parotid mass was resected. Histology sections demonstrated a well-circumscribed neoplasm with multicystic epithelial component and surrounding lymphoid infiltrate, consistent with sebaceous lymphadenoma. Sebaceous lymphadenoma (SLA) is a rare benign salivary gland neoplasm that is most commonly seen in the parotid gland. Preoperative FNA diagnosis of sebaceous neoplasms is challenging. To the best of our knowledge, this is the third case of sebaceous lymphadenoma diagnosed preoperatively. In this manuscript, we detail the epidemiological characteristics and histogenesis of sebaceous salivary gland neoplasms, and the cytomorphologic differential diagnosis of SLA with key diagnostic features of each entity.

Synchronous bilateral multifocal basal cell adenomas of the parotid gland-a case report.

BACKGROUND: Bilateral parotid gland tumors account for up to 3% of cases. In this group, the vast majority are Warthin's tumors. However, bilateral presentations of other parotid gland tumor entities is also possible, an example of which is a basal cell adenoma (BCA). Bilateral BCA is extremely rare, which could cause misdiagnosing it as a Warthin tumor. CASE PRESENTATION: The current study reports the unique case of a 48-year-old woman who presented with a 6-month history of slowly growing masses located bilaterally in the parotid region, surgically treated with 5-year follow-up (no recurrence, normal facial nerve function). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed three lesions: two in the superficial and deep lobes of the right parotid gland, and one in the superficial lobe of the left parotid gland. A total parotidectomy with facial nerve preservation was performed on the right side, and superficial parotidectomy on the left side 6 months later. Histopathological examination confirmed that all three tumors were BCAs. Molecular analysis didn't show any strong, potential of unknown clinical significance in the studied sample. CONCLUSIONS: Multifocal bilateral lesions of the parotid gland are usually Warthin tumors. Detailed preoperative diagnostics including MRI and histopathological examination is essential to avoid misdiagnosing BCA and Warthin tumors. To our best knowledge, no case of synchronous bilateral multifocal basal cell adenomas of the parotid gland has been reported in English literature so far.

Diagnostic value of maximum signal intensity on T1-weighted MRI images for differentiating parotid gland tumours along with pathological correlation.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of the maximum signal intensity of tumour on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images for differentiating Warthin's tumours (WTs) from pleomorphic adenomas (PAs) and malignant tumours (MTs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and fifty-four histopathologically confirmed parotid tumours, including 76 PAs, 45 WTs, and 33 MTs, were analysed. MRI results were compared with pathological findings. The maximum signal intensity of tumour and the average signal intensity of spinal cord were measured on T1-weighted images, then the tumour-to-spinal cord signal intensity ratio (T1-max-SIR) was calculated. The distribution of T1-max-SIRs among the three groups of tumours was analysed using the Mann-Whitney U-test. Receiver operating characteristic curves were generated to assess the ability of T1-max-SIRs to differentiate parotid tumours. In addition, the interobserver agreement between readers was assessed using interclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: T1-max-SIRs were higher in WTs than in PAs (p<0.001) and MTs (p<0.001), and no significant difference was found between PAs and MTs (p=0.151). The area under the curve (AUC) of T1-max-SIRs for differentiating WTs from PAs was 0.901, with a sensitivity of 91.1% and a specificity of 82.9%. The AUC of T1-max-SIRs for differentiating WTs from MTs was 0.851, with a sensitivity of 88.9% and a specificity of 78.8%. Readers had excellent interobserver agreement on T1-max-SIRs (ICC = 0.989; 95% confidence interval, 0.985-0.992). CONCLUSIONS: T1-max-SIRs can be useful for differentiating WTs from PAs and MTs with high diagnostic efficiency.

A triple-classification radiomics model for the differentiation of pleomorphic adenoma, Warthin tumour, and malignant salivary gland tumours on the basis of diffusion-weighted imaging.

AIM: To develop and validate a triple-classification radiomics model for the preoperative differentiation of pleomorphic adenoma (PA), Warthin tumour (WT), and malignant salivary gland tumour (MSGT) based on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data from 217 patients with histopathologically confirmed salivary gland tumours (100 PAs, 68 WTs, and 49 MSGTs) from January 2015 to March 2019 were analysed retrospectively and divided into a training set (n=173), and a validation set (n=44). A total of 396 radiomic features were extracted from the DWI of all patients. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression were used to select radiomic features, which were then constructed using three classification models, namely, logistic regression method (LR), support vector machine (SVM), and K-nearest neighbor (KNN). The diagnostic performance of the radiomics model was quantified by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the training and validation data sets. RESULTS: The 20 most valuable features were investigated based on the LASSO regression. LR and SVM methods exhibited better diagnostic ability than KNN for multiclass classification. LR and SVM had the best performance and yielded the AUC values of 0.857 and 0.824, respectively, in the training data set and the AUC values of 0.932 and 0.912, respectively, in the validation data set of MSGT diagnosis. CONCLUSION: DWI-based triple-classification radiomics model has predictive value in distinguishing PA, WT, and MSGT, which can be used for preoperative auxiliary diagnosis in clinical practice.

Radiomic model for differentiating parotid pleomorphic adenoma from parotid adenolymphoma based on MRI images.

BACKGROUND: Distinguishing parotid pleomorphic adenoma (PPA) from parotid adenolymphoma (PA) is important for precision treatment, but there is a lack of readily available diagnostic methods. In this study, we aimed to explore the diagnostic value of radiomic signatures based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for PPA and PA. METHODS: The clinical characteristic and imaging data were retrospectively collected from 252 cases (126 cases in the training cohort and 76 patients in the validation cohort) in this study. Radiomic features were extracted from MRI scans, including T1-weighted imaging (T1WI) sequences and T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) sequences. The radiomic features from three sequences (T1WI, T2WI and T1WI combined with T2WI) were selected using univariate analysis, LASSO correlation and Spearman correlation. Then, we built six quantitative radiomic models using the selected features through two machine learning methods (multivariable logistic regression, MLR, and support vector machine, SVM). The performances of the six radiomic models were assessed and the diagnostic efficacies of the ideal T1-2WI radiomic model and the clinical model were compared. RESULTS: The T1-2WI radiomic model using MLR showed optimal discriminatory ability (accuracy = 0.87 and 0.86, F-1 score = 0.88 and 0.86, sensitivity = 0.90 and 0.88, specificity = 0.82 and 0.80, positive predictive value = 0.86 and 0.84, negative predictive value = 0.86 and 0.84 in the training and validation cohorts, respectively) and its calibration was observed to be good (p > 0.05). The area under the curve (AUC) of the T1-2WI radiomic model was significantly better than that of the clinical model for both the training (0.95 vs. 0.67, p < 0.001) and validation (0.90 vs. 0.68, p = 0.001) cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: The T1-2WI radiomic model in our study is complementary to the current knowledge of differential diagnosis for PPA and PA.

Cytomorphology of Warthin-like variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma: A diagnosis not to be missed.

The authors have elaborated the cytological features of Warthin-like variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (WLPTC) presenting unusually with nodal metastasis in a 43-year-old lady, and which was reported on cytology as papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) with lymphocytic thyroiditis.