Assessment of Parotid Gland Tumors by Means of Quantitative Multiparametric Ultrasound (mpUS)

Objective: The preoperative diagnostical differentiation of parotid gland tumor (PGT) is not always simple due to several different entities. B-mode-ultrasound (US) remains the imaging modality of choice, while histopathology serves as the gold standard for finalizing the diagnosis. We aimed to evaluate the use of multiparametric US (mpUS) in the assessment of PGT. Methods: We included 97 PGTs from 96 patients. A standardized mpUS protocol using B-mode-US, shear-wave elastography (SWE), and standardized contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed prior to surgical intervention. SWE was assessed by real-time measurement conducting a minimum of five measurements, while quantitative CEUS parameters were assessed with a post-processing perfusion software. Results: SWE allowed differentiation between benign PGT (Warthin’s Tumor (WT) paired with lymph nodes (LN) and pleomorphic adenoma (PA)), and WT and LN were softer compared to PA. WT showed lower velocities than squamous cell carcinoma (SCC): the most common malignant PGT. CEUS parameters showed significant group differences between WT and PA, WT and malignant lesions, WT and SCC, WT paired with LN versus PA, and WT paired with LN versus SCC. Conclusion: MpUS seems to be beneficial in the assessment of PGT characterization, with benign PGT appearing to be softer in SWE than tumors with malignant tendencies. The quantitative CEUS parameter shows higher perfusion in WT than in PA, and malignant PGTs are less vascularized than WTs.