title: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound in the evaluation of parotid gland lesions: an update of the literature.
abstract: High-resolution ultrasound is the first line examination for parotid gland diffuse disease and focal lesions, normally using grey-scale and colour-Doppler ultrasound. Unfortunately, grey-scale and colour-Doppler ultrasound features of benign and malignant salivary gland lesions may overlap, particularly with benign tumors, where pleomorphic adenomas are often indistinguishable from malignant lesions. With atypical lesions, contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging is usually the second level imaging modality requested. The introduction of ultrasound contrast agents has opened further possible perspectives to improve the interpretation of parotid diseases, particularly the differentiation between benign and malignant lesions. We present a review of the current literature on contrast-enhanced ultrasound for the assessment of parotid gland lesions, considering all characteristics of the technique, evidence of usefulness, future perspectives and limitations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomo-pathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences and Morphologic and Functional Imaging, Policlinico "G. Martino", University of Messina, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: David
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomo-pathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cantisani
authors.affiliation: Department of Sensory Organs, ENT Section, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy - Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Vincentiis
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, King's College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London, UK.
authors.forename: P S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Sidhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Sensory Organs, ENT Section, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy - Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.affiliation: Department of Sensory Organs, ENT Section, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy - Department of Surgical Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tombolini
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomo-pathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Drudi
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomo-pathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Messineo
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomo-pathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gigli
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomo-pathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rubini
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomo-pathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fresilli
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomo-pathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomo-pathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Flammia
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Anatomo-pathology and Oncology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: D'Ambrosio
keywords: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound; microbubbles; parotid gland; salivary neoplasm