Objective: To evaluate the added value of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) in characterization of salivary gland lesions.
Study design: A prospective study was carried out between January 2013, and March 2015.
Methods: The study included 46 patients. The consultant radiologist, who reviewed the scans to comment on the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value and ADC histogram was blind to the suspected pathology. Radiological findings were then compared to clinical and histological findings.
Results: The diagnostic performance of DW-MRI for identification of malignant lesions showed that the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative prediction value were 100%, 92%, 91.3%, and 100%, respectively.
Conclusion: The specific ability of DW-MRI to probe tissue microstructures is an interesting complement to the currently used imaging procedures in the characterization, and even grading of malignancies. ADC mapping is an easy, cost effective promising tool that has neither radiation exposure, nor amalgam artifacts and can be used in helping characterization of salivary glands lesions.
Level of evidence: 1B.
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