Dong Yue1, Wen Feng2, Cai Ning3, Li Xiao Han4, Luo YaHong3. 1. Department of Radiology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, China. Electronic address: dyy1026@sina.com. 2. Department of Radiology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China. 3. Department of Radiology, Cancer Hospital of China Medical University, Liaoning Cancer Hospital and Institute, Shenyang, Liaoning, China. 4. Department of Pathology, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang, Liaoning, China.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the pathologic and computed tomography (CT) imaging characteristics of myoepithelial carcinoma in the salivary gland. STUDY DESIGN: Ten patients with myoepithelial carcinoma of the salivary gland underwent enhanced CT scanning, and the pathologic and CT imaging features were evaluated, including the pathologic type, size, margin morphology, and enhancement pattern of the lesions. RESULTS: Myoepithelial carcinoma had a multinodular or lobulated outline. The cut surfaces were gray-brown with no or incomplete capsules, and visible bleeding was observed in some cases. The pathologic cell type of the tumor was spindle-shaped, clear, plasmacytoid, or epithelioid cells or a mixture of cell types. Nonenhanced CT imaging showed an irregular lobulated or multinodular lesion with ill-defined margins and inhomogeneous attenuation and punctate calcification in a minority of the lesions. The enhanced CT imaging results revealed moderate and intense inhomogeneous enhancement, including cystic and slit-like regions with no enhancement, intense nodular enhancement, and small tortuous vessels in the arterial phase. CONCLUSION: The pathologic features and CT imaging findings of myoepithelial carcinoma were characteristic, and familiarity with these imaging findings might aid in the diagnosis of this entity.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the pathologic and computed tomography (CT) imaging characteristics of myoepithelial carcinoma in the salivary gland. STUDY DESIGN: Ten patients with myoepithelial carcinoma of the salivary gland underwent enhanced CT scanning, and the pathologic and CT imaging features were evaluated, including the pathologic type, size, margin morphology, and enhancement pattern of the lesions. RESULTS:Myoepithelial carcinoma had a multinodular or lobulated outline. The cut surfaces were gray-brown with no or incomplete capsules, and visible bleeding was observed in some cases. The pathologic cell type of the tumor was spindle-shaped, clear, plasmacytoid, or epithelioid cells or a mixture of cell types. Nonenhanced CT imaging showed an irregular lobulated or multinodular lesion with ill-defined margins and inhomogeneous attenuation and punctate calcification in a minority of the lesions. The enhanced CT imaging results revealed moderate and intense inhomogeneous enhancement, including cystic and slit-like regions with no enhancement, intense nodular enhancement, and small tortuous vessels in the arterial phase. CONCLUSION: The pathologic features and CT imaging findings of myoepithelial carcinoma were characteristic, and familiarity with these imaging findings might aid in the diagnosis of this entity.