[Value of duplex ultrasound in diagnosis of parotid tumors].
BACKGROUND
The sensitivity of diagnostic imaging of processes in the parotid gland has been increased by improved spatial resolution, yet specificity remains unchanged. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the low-flow color duplex technique alters the specificity of B-mode ultrasonography.


METHODS
Forty-one patients with tumors of the parotid gland were examined by color duplex echography as well as histologically. Twenty-eight of the 41 patients had benign tumors and 13 had malignant disease. In 17 of 41 patients, color duplex ultrasonography failed to detect any vascularization within the tumor. Histopathological examination showed that 3 of these 17 tumors were malignant and 14 of 17 were benign. Intranodal vascularization was detected in 24 cases. Ten of these patients were found to have malignant tumors of the parotid gland; 14 had benign parotid tumors.


RESULTS
Our present findings show that marked intratumoral vascularization especially appears in malignant tumors. In contrast to lymph nodes, the location and texture of intranodal blood vessels do not provide information about the nature of the neoplasm.


CONCLUSIONS
Low flow duplex ultrasonography does not increase the specificity of preoperative examination in tumors of the parotid gland.
Universitäts-Krankenhaus Eppendorf, HNO-Klinik, Hamburg.
G
G
Schade
J
J
Ussmüller
R
R
Leuwer
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D010305:Parotid Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010306:Parotid Gland / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color