CT and MRI features of lymphoepithelial carcinoma of salivary gland / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To analyze imaging features of lymphoepithelial carcinoma (LEC) of salivary gland through conventional CT, MRI and functional MRI.Methods:From March 2010 to March 2020, a total of 75 patients with salivary gland LEC who were initially diagnosed and confirmed by postoperative pathology were retrospectively collected in the Ninth People′s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University Medical College. The preoperative CT and MRI findings were analyzed. Information including location, size, shape, boundary, density/signal intensity and enhancement degree of lesions were evaluated by conventional CT and MRI. The ADC value and time-intensity curve (TIC) pattern of lesions were measured from DWI and dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE)-MRI.Results:Among 75 cases of LEC in salivary gland, 56 cases had solitary lesions, 38 cases were round/oval or irregular, 34 cases were irregular morphology. Only 1 case exhibited calcification and 5 cases had necrotic regions. In 68 cases with CT images, 28 cases showed moderate enhancement and 30 cases showed intense enhancement. In 12 cases with MRI, 11 cases showed iso-intensity on T 1WI and 12 cases showed slightly hyperintensity on T 2WI. After contrast injection, 11 cases showed homogeneous enhancement and all of the 12 cases showed intense enhancement. The ADC value of LEC in salivary gland was (0.68±0.05)×10?3 mm 2/s and the TIC type of all the 12 cases was type Ⅱ (fast rising platform type). Conclusion:The LEC of salivary gland is single, has homogeneous texture, moderate enhancement and low ADC value. DCE-MRI shows type Ⅱ TIC curve. Morphological features combined with functional MRI features are helpful for accurate preoperative imaging diagnosis and differential diagnosis.