Quantitative diagnosis of salivary gland tumors with contrast-enhanced ultrasound. A systematic review.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i12.2203Keywords:
CEUS, salivary gland lesion, benign parotid tumors, malignant parotid tumors, differential diagnosis, systematic reviewAbstract
Salivary gland tumors pose diagnostic challenges, with fine-needle aspiration cytology showing limitations in accuracy. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has emerged as a promising alternative for preoperative differentiation. This systematic review aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of CEUS in distinguishing between benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. Electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, Lilacs) were searched up to October 2024. Inclusion criteria comprised original studies (2020–2024) evaluating CEUS for salivary gland lesions. Exclusion criteria included non-English articles, reviews, and irrelevant studies. The STROBE checklist was used for quality assessment. Data were synthesized narratively. Eight studies were included. CEUS demonstrated high diagnostic value, with features such as blurring enhancement margins and increased lesion size aiding malignancy risk assessment. It effectively differentiated pleomorphic adenomas from Warthin tumors and benign from malignant lesions. CEUS is a valuable, non-invasive tool for the quantitative diagnosis of salivary gland tumors, enhancing preoperative planning and differential diagnosis.
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