Analysis of perfusion parameters within different regions of tumors of the parotid gland using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)

Introduction:

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) allows analysis of perfusion patterns of salivary gland tumors in more detail in addition to conventional sonographic techniques. Currently an analysis of differences inside the tumors by comparing perfusion in multiple regions of interest (ROI) has not been reported in a greater patient cohort. The aim of this study was to analyze perfusion patterns of salivary gland tumors and to prove, whether tumor entities can be differentiated by characteristic perfusion patterns.

Methods:

In this study 100 patients with tumors of the parotid gland were examined by sonography, color-coded duplex sonography and CEUS. The parameters diameter, echogenicity, demarcation, vascularization und especially perfusion were evaluated. The perfusion was assessed qualitatively, as well as quantitatively by analyzing time-intensity-curves (TIC) in six peripheral und two central ROI.

Results:

The results showed significant differences of the qualitative and the quantitative perfusion analysis inside the tumors. The qualitative analysis resulted in significantly different perfusion patterns of benign tumors compared to malignant tumors. ROIs in the depth of the tumors show stronger perfusion in both, benign and malignant tumors. The quantitative analysis resulted in significant differences between different benign tumor entities.

Conclusions:

CEUS allows visualizing of perfusion patterns inside salivary gland tumors. The analysis of perfusion inside the tumors makes it possible to partly distinguish between benign and malignant conditions. The identification of particular benign tumors is also possible.

^* This work contains essential parts of the dissertation from Maria Agnes Albers.

Publication History

Publication Date:
23 April 2019 (online)