CT and MRI Diagnosis of Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of the Head and Neck / 实用放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the CT and MRI findings of adenoid cystic carcinoma(ACC) of the head and neck.Methods All 16 cases of ACC were verified by histopathology.Imaging data were analyzed retrospectively.Results The lesion mainly occurred in maxillary sinus in 5 cases,in middle ear and in the floor of mouth in 3 cases respectively,in nasopharynx and parotid in 2 cases respectively,in nasal cavity in 1 case.On CT,the lesion showed ill defined and irregular-shaped soft mass in 6 cases and associated with osteolytic bony destruction in 3 cases.On MR T1WI,the lesion showed isointensity compared to the muscle in 14 cases and slightly hypointensity in 2 cases.On T2WI,the lesion showed isointensity in 6 cases,hyperintensity in 10 cases,heterogeneous intensity in 9 cases.Postcontrast MR imagings demonstrated obvious enhancement in 15 cases,moderate enhancement in 1 case.Lesion with short T2 septum in 7 cases,all of them showed no enhancement.Conclusion CT is the optimal modality in showing osteolytic bony destruction.MRI can demonstrate the invaded extent of the lesions clearly.Combined imaging modalities can provide more comprehensive information in diagnosis and therapy of adenoid cystic carcinoma of the head and neck.