Role of USG&CT in Evaluation of Salivary Gland Tumours

BACKGROUND: The salivary glands are classified as major and minor. The algorithm for imaging the salivary glands depends on the clinical scenario with which the patient presents to the clinician. The large range of differential diagnoses influences not only prognosis but also treatment. This study aims at evaluating the role of Ultrasound and CT in diagnosis of salivary gland tumors. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 20 patients referred to the radiology department with any with complaints suggestive of salivary gland tumors or even those with already diagnosed cases of salivary gland tumors which needed follow up radiological investigations were evaluated with both ultrasound and CT scan. RESULTS: USG and CT scan are both comparable in their ability to diagnose Salivary gland tumors. Although USG has a slightly inferior specificity rate compared to CT, but it is still a very compelling option for the initial imaging of the Salivary gland tumors. It can differentiate intraglandular from extraglandular lesions, classify salivary gland lesions as focal or diffuse and differentiate benign from malignant disease by means of assessing the architecture of the tumor, its vascularity and associated lymphadenopathy. CT was better than ultrasound in specificity and shows a specificity of 92.3 % as compared to ultrasound which showed a specificity of 85.7 %. Pleomorphic adenoma was the most common tumor affecting the salivary gland in my study with an overall incidence rate of over 60 %. Among the benign, the most common is pleomorphic adenoma with an incidence rate of 78 %. The second most common benign tumor was Warthin tumor with an incidence rate of 9 %. The most common malignant tumour was Mucoepidermoid carcinoma with an incidence rate of over 60 %. CONCLUSION: USG should always be considered as the initial imaging modality in salivary gland tumours, as it is easily accessible and has no risk of any radiation exposure. CT Scan helps to identify spread of tumor in inaccessible areas like para-pharyngeal spaces, defines the tumor�s size and extent better and gives more detailed information about the involvement of surrounding structures. Thus CT is more specific than Ultrasound in diagnosing salivary gland tumors. By the above diagnosing modalities we can provide a firm aid to the clinician for management of the tumors and their metastasis. Key words: Salivary Gland Tumors, Ultrasonography, CT scan, Pleomorphic adenoma, Warthins tumor.