CT and MR imaging findings of acinic cell carcinoma in salivary gland / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the CT and MR imaging findings of acinic cell carcinoma (ACC)in salivary gland and enhance the diagnosis of this rare disease.Methods The CT and MR imaging characteristics of 20 patients (7 males and 13 females,median age 44 years old) with pathologically proved ACC were retrospectively reviewed.CT and MR images were evaluated in relation to the following location,size,morphology,margin,CT density/MR signal intensity and enhancement pattern.Results Twelve lesions were located in parotid gland,two lesions in maxillary Sinus,and one lesion in submandibular,parapharyngeal,infratemporal fossa,buccal,nasal cavity,and hard palate respectively.The size of lesions were 0.7～5.8 cm.Sixteen lesions less than 3 cm in size demonstrated round or oval round masses with well defined margin.Four lesions more than 3 cm in size demonstrated irregular masses with unclear margin.Among them,bony destruction of the wall of the maxillary sinus was noted in 3 cases,and the preauricular skin was invaded in 1 case.The densities (signal intensity) were homogeneous in 6 cases and heterogeneous in 14 cases.Lesions were slightly low density in 11 case and isodensity in 3 cases on CT plain scan.Lesions were homogeneous isointense in 2 cases and heterogeneous isointense in 4 cases on T1WI,heterogeneous hyperintense in all cases on T2WI.On post contrast images,lesions demonstrated remarkable enhancement in 14 cases,moderate enhancement in 2 cases and mild enhancement in 3 cases.Conclusions The imaging characteristic of ACC were nonspecific.CT and MR could accurately detect the extent of tumor involvement and was helpful to provide more comprehensive information for the strategy of clinic therapy.