Value of ultrasound elastography in diagnosis of focal lesions in the parotid and submandibular glands

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the applicative value of ultrasound elastography in diagnosis of focal lesions in the parotid and submandibular glands.Methods 30 patients(30 lesions) were scanned by real-time ultrasound elastography and were analyzed in elastography evaluated criteria (5 score method).All the results were compared with the pathological types.Results The elastographic grades of most benign nodules were 1 - 3,while most of malignancy were 4 - 5.The elastographic grades of benign and malignant lesions were of significant difference statistically( P ＜0.01 ).If elastographic grade 4 or 5 were diagnosed as malignancies,the sensitivity,specificity and accuracy for diagnosing malignant l(e)sions in the parotid and submandibular glands were 72.73 ％,84.21 ％,80.00 ％,respectively.Conclusions Ultrasound elastography is useful in the differential diagnosis of focal lesions in the parotid and submandibular glands. Key words: Ultrasonography; Salivary gland neoplasms; Elastography