Accuracy of diagnosis of salivary gland tumors with the use of ultrasonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging: a meta-analysis.

Abstract

To compare ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for clinical differential diagnosis in patients with salivary gland tumor (SGT). Six databases were used to search the literature published between 1982 and 2013. Histologic diagnosis was required as standard diagnosis. Pooled estimate for sensitivity, specificity, summary receiver-operating characteristic curve (SROC) and area under curve (AUC) were calculated and compared using STATA and Meta-Disc statistical software. Nineteen articles were included. Pooled sensitivity for US, CT, and MRI was 0.629 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.52-0.73), 0.830 (95% CI 0.74-0.90), and 0.807 (95% CI 0.73-0.87), respectively; pooled specificity for US, CT, and MRI was 0.920 (95% CI 0.89-0.94), 0.851 (95% CI 0.79-0.90), and 0.886 (95% CI 0.85-0.92), respectively. The AUC under SROC for US, CT, and MRI was 0.934 ± 0.058, 0.912 ± 0.889, and 0.903 ± 0.045, respectively. CT is recommended, as it is an effective imaging tool for differential diagnosis in patients with primary SGT, and MRI is suggested for differential diagnosis between benign and malignant GSTs because of its highest sensitivity and specificity.