Clinical and radiological features of acinic cell carcinoma in the parotid gland: a contrast-enhanced CT evaluation.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the clinical and computed tomography (CT) features of acinic cell carcinomas (AciCCs) of the parotid gland in comparison with Warthin tumors (WTs), pleomorphic adenomas (PAs), basal cell adenomas (BCAs), and mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MECs).

STUDY

DESIGN

This retrospective study included 359 patients with primary parotid gland tumors, all of whom underwent contrast-enhanced CT scans prior to treatment. Clinical manifestations, treatment regimens, and follow-up information were also reviewed.

RESULTS

A total of 63 AciCCs, 74 WTs, 70 PAs, 88 BCAs, and 64 MECs were included. Among AciCC patients, 71.4% (45/63) presented with a painless mass. On CT, AciCCs were observed as well-defined (12/63), partially ill-defined (26/63), or ill-defined (25/63) neoplasms, with no specific location predilection. AciCCs exhibited higher CT attenuation in the arterial phase compared to PAs but lower than that of BCAs, MECs, and WTs. Partial parotidectomy was performed in 85.7% (54/63) of cases, and interstitial brachytherapy with I131 was administered to 25 patients. The recurrence rate was low, with only 1 case of recurrence (1.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

AciCC can be distinguished from other common parotid tumors based on its contrast-enhanced CT features, such as tumor size and attenuation patterns.