Pleomorphic adenoma and adenolymphoma in ultrasonography

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study was to define ultrasonographic morphologic features characteristic of pleomorphic adenoma and adenolymphoma (Warthin's tumor).

Methods: Documentation of 31 ultrasonographic examinations of 20 pleomorphic adenomas and 10 Warthin's tumors in 28 patients was analysed. All cases were confirmed by fine needle aspiration biopsy or/and histopathological examination. Estimated ultrasound criteria were: borders (well-defined, predominantly well-defined, ill-defined), shape (lobulated, oval, irregular), echogenicity (increased, decreased), structure (homogeneous, slightly inhomogeneous, inhomogeneous) and presence of irregular anechoic areas within a tumor.

Results: 100% of the lesions were hypoechoic. 80.6% of all tumors were well-defined. The remaining 19.4% had predominantly well-defined borders. 55% of pleomorphic adenomas had a lobulated shape. Almost equal percentages of Warthin's tumors were lobulated, had an oval and irregular shape. Irregular echolucent areas were present in six of 11 examinations of Warthin's tumors and in one pleomorphic adenoma.

Conclusions: Ultrasonography is a useful method for the evaluation of pleomorphic adenomas and Warthin's tumors and sometimes it might allow to suggest the nature of a tumor if a certain sonographic pattern is present.