Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of adenoid cystic carcinoma in the maxillary sinus: a retrospective study with radiologic-histopathologic correlations

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) in the maxillary sinus and their correlations with the tubular, cribriform, and solid histopathologic types of ACC. Twenty cases of histopathologically proven ACC in the maxillary sinus were retrospectively reviewed. CT and MRI findings were correlated with histopathologic results. On CT, significant differences were discovered among the 3 histopathologic ACC types in range, size, shape, margins, type of bone destruction, and time intensity curve (TIC) (P ≤ .018). Tubular lesions were limited in range, were smaller than the other types, produced small cystic patterns with well-defined margins, and caused a cribriform pattern of bone destruction. All tumors demonstrated heterogeneous intensity signal on T1- and T2-weighted images (T1WI and T2WI) and appeared as hypo- or isointense small cystic lesions on T1WI and hyperintense on T2WI (n=6). Postcontrast MRI revealed marked heterogeneous enhancement for all lesions. The TIC showed a rapidly enhancing and slow washout pattern in all tubular lesions and a rapidly enhancing and rapid washout pattern in solid tumors. Different histologic patterns of ACCs have distinctive radiologic features, which can facilitate accurate preoperative diagnosis.