Ultrasonography characteristics of cystic components in primary salivary gland tumors

Abstract Objectives The present study aimed to characterize the ultrasonography (US) features of cystic components in salivary gland tumors (SGTs). Materials and methods A total of 207 patients (218 lesions) with pathologically confirmed primary SGTs were analyzed. Preoperative US revealed the presence of cystic components in lesions. Lesion size, shape, margin, and US findings of the cystic components, including number, distribution, margin, occupying rate, and internal characteristics, were evaluated. Results Similarities were observed between the US performance of benign SGTs (B-SGTs) and malignant SGTs (M-SGTs) with cystic components. Differences in sex and age of patients, number, distribution, and internal characteristics of cystic components were statistically significant. For SGTs with cystic components, the proportions of M-SGTs to ill-defined margins (P = 0.002), eccentric distribution (P = 0.019), and none of the internal characteristics (P = 0.019) were significantly higher than those of B-SGTs. Younger age (P = 0.001), eccentric distribution (P = 0.034) and ill-defined margin (P < 0.001) were risk factors for diagnosing M-SGTs. Cystic component features needed to be combined with lesion indicators (border and shape) to improve diagnostic sensitivity. Conclusions US features of the B-SGTs and M-SGTs were significantly different. Cystic component is of interest in the US-related differential diagnosis of B-SGT and M-SGT. Clinical relevance Cystic components are potentially valuable in the differential diagnosis of B-SGTs and M-SGTs on US.