Abstract
PurposeThis study aimed to describe the MRI findings of epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) of the parotid gland.Materials and methodsSeven patients (four males and three females) aged 40–86 years (mean age, 64 years) with histologically proven EMC of the parotid gland who underwent surgical resection after preoperative MRI were enrolled. MRI images were retrospectively reviewed and contrasted with pathological findings.ResultsFive patients (71%) had predominantly solid lesions, and two (29%) had predominantly cystic lesions. All seven lesions had well-demarcated margins and capsules without the invasion of adjacent structures. The capsules were incomplete in five lesions (71%) and complete in two (29%). Four lesions (57%) exhibited a multinodular structure with internal septa. Cystic components were observed in three lesions (43%). On T1-weighted images, the solid components were frequently homogeneous (5/7, 71%), and demonstrated isointensity in five lesions (71%) and hypointensity in two (29%) relative to the spinal cord. On T2-weighted images, the solid components were usually heterogeneous (6/7, 86%), and demonstrated hyperintensity in five lesions (71%) and isointensity in two (29%) relative to the spinal cord. The mean apparent diffusion coefficient value of the solid components was 0.967 × 10−3 mm2/s.ConclusionParotid gland EMCs usually appeared as predominantly solid lesions with well-demarcated margins and capsules. A multinodular structure with internal septa was characteristics of EMCs.
Highlights
Epithelial–myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a rare subtype of malignant salivary gland tumor that is composed of a biphasic arrangement of inner luminal ductal cells and outer myoepithelial cells
EMCs should be diagnosed based on conventional optical microscopy and immunohistochemistry
Based on the histopathological assessments, EMCs were composed of small ducts, and some of which contained small quantities of intraluminal inspissated mucin
Summary
Epithelial–myoepithelial carcinoma (EMC) is a rare subtype of malignant salivary gland tumor that is composed of a biphasic arrangement of inner luminal ductal cells and outer myoepithelial cells. In 1991, the World Health Organization classification recognized EMC as a distinct entity and subtype of salivary gland adenocarcinoma. The incidence of EMC accounts for approximately 1% of salivary gland tumors. It predominantly occurs in females with a female-to-male ratio of 1.5:1. MRI characteristics of EMC of the parotid gland with radiologic–pathologic correlation
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