Differentiation of salivary gland tumors using diffusion-weighted image-based virtual MR elastography: A pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: Differentiation among benign salivary gland tumors, Warthin tumors, and malignant salivary gland tumors is crucial to treatment planning and predicting patient prognosis. However, differentiation of those tumors using imaging findings remains difficult. This study evaluated the usefulness of elasticity determined from Diffusion-weighted image (DWI)-based virtual MR elastography (MRE) compared with conventional MRI findings in differentiating the tumors.

METHODS: This study included 17 benign salivary gland tumors, six Warthin tumors, and 11 malignant salivary gland tumors scanned on neck MRI. The long and short diameters, T1 and T2 signal intensities, tumor margins, ADC values, and elasticity from DWI-based virtual MRE of the tumors were evaluated. The interobserver agreement in measuring tumor elasticity and the ROC curves were also assessed.

RESULTS: The long and short diameters and the T1 and T2 signal intensities showed no significant difference among the three tumor groups. Tumor margins and the mean ADC values showed significant differences among some tumor groups. The elasticity from virtual MRE showed significant differences among all three tumor groups and the interobserver agreement was excellent. The area under the ROC curves of the elasticity were higher than those of tumor margins and mean ADC values.

CONCLUSION: Elasticity values based on DWI-based virtual MRE of benign salivary gland tumors, Warthin tumors, and malignant salivary gland tumors were significantly different. The elasticity of Warthin tumors was the highest and that of benign tumors was the lowest. The elasticity from DWI-based virtual MRE may aid in the differential diagnosis of salivary gland tumors.