Characterization of parotid gland tumors. Added value of permeability MR imaging to DWI and DCE-MRI

To determine added value of permeability MRI in parotid tumor characterization to T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), semi-quantitative analysis of time-intensity curve (TIC), and intra-voxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI). This retrospective study was approved by the institutional review board, and the informed consent was waived. Sixty-one parotid tumors in 61 patients were examined using T2WI, IVIM-DWI, and permeability MRI. TIC patterns were categorized as persistent, washout, or plateau. Signal intensity ratio of lesion-to-muscle on T2WI, apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs), D and f values from IVIM-DWI, and K${}_{trans}$, k${}_{ep}$, V${}_e$, and V${}_p$ values from permeability MRI were measured. Multiple comparisons were applied to determine whether any differences among 4 histopathologic types (pleomorphic adenomas, Warthin's tumors, other benign tumors, and malignant tumors) existed. Diagnostic accuracy was compared before and after modification diagnosis referring to permeability MRI. In a validation study, 60 parotid tumors in 60 patients were examined. ADC and D values of malignant tumors were significantly lower than those of benign tumors other than Warthin's tumors, but higher than those of Warthin's tumors. k${}_{ep}$ and V${}_p$ values of Warthin's tumors were significantly higher than those of malignant tumors. Multivariate analyses showed that TIC pattern, D, and k${}_{ep}$ values were suitable parameters. McNemar's test showed a significant increase of sensitivity (11/12, 92%) and specificity (46/49, 94%) with adding k${}_{ep}$. The validation study yielded high sensitivity (14/16, 88%) and specificity (41/44, 93%). Permeability MRI offers added value to IVIM-MRI and semi-quantitative TIC analysis of DCE-MRI in characterization of parotid tumors.