Abstract
PURPOSE: To determine which MR techniques are best for identifying intraparotid masses and to assess the utility of MR for predicting specific diagnosis. METHODS: A retrospective review of 31 intraparotid masses was performed. Lesion conspicuity and signal intensity characteristics were evaluated by objectively measured regions of interest and by subjective visual review. RESULTS: The T1-weighted images produced the highest lesion conspicuity in 25 of 31 masses. All the masses were easily detected as hypointense lesions on the T1-weighted scans with good or excellent conspicuity; on the T2-weighted images nine lesions appeared isointense to the normal parotid tissue, including six malignancies. Gadolinium-enhanced images were not helpful for identifying the intraparotid masses. Warthin tumors and malignancies tended to be hypointense or low in conspicuity on T2- weighted images. CONCLUSIONS: The T1-weighted images were best for detecting parotid masses. The T2-weighted images may help in limiting a differential diagnosis, but a specific diagnosis cannot be made without biopsy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1173-1180 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | American Journal of Neuroradiology |
Volume | 14 |
Issue number | 5 |
State | Published - Jan 1 1993 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging
- Clinical Neurology