A prospective trial: Does Virtual Touch IQ elastography improve the preoperative diagnosis of tumors of the parotid gland

Introduction:

Assessing tumors of the parotid gland preoperatively is relatively difficult. It is imperative that the surgeon correctly identify which kind of tumor is present. Ultrasound is the method of choice, but there is still no reliable differential diagnostic tool for determining whether a tumor is malignant or benign. The aim of our study was to examine the value of Virtual Touch imaging quantification (VTIQ) elastograpy in distinguishing between malignant and benign tumors and identifying the most common benign tumor types.

Methods:

The parenchyma of 100 parotid glands, 12 lymph nodes of healthy volunteers and 50 tumors of the parotid gland were analyzed via ultrasound, color Doppler ultrasound and VTIQ. Results were compared with histopathology.

Results:

In malignant tumors, in comparison to benign tumors, the tumor border was diffuse, the perfusion higher and the VTIQ quality much lower. Malignant tumors had a higher incidence than benign tumors of share wave velocities greater than 6.8 m/s in the user-defined region of interest.

Conclusions:

VTIQ in combination with standard ultrasound examination provides additional information for distinguishing between benign and malignant tumors and thus shows promise for integration into preexisting ultrasound protocols.

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)