Differential diagnosis of tumours of the minor salivary glands of the palate by computed tomography.

OBJECTIVE

To define the CT criteria for differentiating malignant from benign tumours of the minor salivary glands of the palate and to evaluate their accuracy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

CT findings of 63 patients with histopathologically proven minor salivary gland tumours of the palate (23 malignant, 40 benign) were retrospectively evaluated.

RESULTS

Aggressive bone destruction was a specific finding of malignant tumours, but was seen in only 57% (13/23) of this series. Extension into the pterygopalatine fossa was observed in seven malignant and one benign tumour. Calcifications within a tumour were observed in four cases, all of which were malignant. These three CT findings were significantly more frequent in malignant tumours. Using any one of these as the criterion for the malignancy, the sensitivity was 78% (18/23), specificity 98% (39/40) and accuracy 90% (57/63).

CONCLUSION

Malignant tumours of the minor salivary glands of the palate are very likely to show any or all of aggressive bone destruction, extension into the pterygopalatine fossa and calcification, whereas benign tumours can almost always be correctly diagnosed by their absence.