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Review
. 2021 Sep;24(3):241-247.
doi: 10.1007/s40477-020-00511-5. Epub 2020 Jul 24.

Diagnostic imaging of parotid gland oncocytoma: a pictorial review with emphasis on ultrasound assessment

Antonio Corvino  1   2 , Martina Caruso  3 , Carlo Varelli  4 , Francesca Di Gennaro  5 , Saverio Pignata  6 , Fabio Corvino  7 , Gianfranco Vallone  3 , Orlando Catalano  4
Affiliations
Review

Diagnostic imaging of parotid gland oncocytoma: a pictorial review with emphasis on ultrasound assessment

Antonio Corvino et al. J Ultrasound. 2021 Sep.

Abstract

Parotid gland oncocytoma (PGO) is a rare benign epithelial tumor that usually occurs in the elderly population. The most common clinical presentation is a painless, slow-growing, non-tender, lobulated, and mobile mass. Histologically, it is composed of monotonous sheets of epithelial cells (oncocytes) with a central scar. The cross-sectional appearance is not specific, and it overlaps with other parotid lesions. On ultrasound (US), oncocytoma appears as an ovoid, well-defined, homogeneous, and hypoechoic lesion. Cystic and hemorrhagic areas as well as intralesional fat may be observed. Doppler analysis shows intratumoral vessels, sometimes with a spoke-wheel pattern. The peak systolic flow is high (up to 100 cm/sec). Furthermore, oncocytoma is avid of FDG on a PET scan, as well as a malignant tumor. Thus, a combined clinical, imaging, and pathologic assessment is essential to establish the most accurate diagnosis and plan the best treatment. US, combined with Doppler techniques, can play an important role in suggesting the diagnosis and confirming it through percutaneous sampling. The purpose of this review is to show the imaging findings in PGO, with special emphasis on the US appearance.

Keywords: Color doppler; Oncocytoma; Parotid gland; Tumor; Ultrasound.

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Conflict of interest statement

We confirm that this work is original and has not been published elsewhere nor is it currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. Publication is approved by all authors and by the responsible authorities where the work was carried out. Each author have participated sufficiently in any submission to take public responsibility for its content. The authors have no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
B-mode a and power Doppler b scans of the parotid gland. Oval, well-defined oncocytoma with slightly hyperechoic echotexture compared to glandular parenchyma and some cystic anechoic areas. Power Doppler shows intralesional vessels
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
B-mode a and color Doppler b and c scans of the parotid gland. Oval nodule with well-defined margins and some cystic areas. Color Doppler shows vascular signals inside the solid component
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
B-mode a power Doppler b and spectral Doppler c scans of the parotid gland. Well-defined, lobulated, and hypoechoic oncocytoma with rich intralesional vascularization on power Doppler and high peak systolic flow (102 cm/sec)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
B-mode a and color Doppler b ultrasound scans. Color Doppler shows lobulated, well-defined, and hypoechoic oncocytoma with a spoke-wheel pattern
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
T2-weighted a and post-contrast T1-weighted b axial MR images. Lobulated oncocytoma showing high signal intensity on T2w and post-contrast T1w images in the right parotid gland
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
PET-FDG. Oncocytoma of the left parotid gland showing increased FDG uptake
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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