Abstract：Objective: To probe the CT and MR imaging appearances of Warthin tumor of parotid gland for improving the diagnostic recognition. Methods: Thirty-seven consecutive patients of Warthin tumor in parotid glands confirmed by the surgical pathology were retrospectively evaluated based on the clinical and imaging data. Results: Of the 37 patients(33 men and 4 women; age ranged from 45~82 years, mean age 55.5 years), 29(78.4%) patients were over 55 years old and 27(73%) cases had smoking habit over twenty years. Of the 37 patients with 53 tumors, 25 cases had solitary lesions, 8 cases had multiple lesions on one side, 4 cases had bilateral tumors. Most Warthin tumors(79.2%) located in the posterior and inferior quadrant of the parotid gland. On CT and MRI, Warthin tumors usually were spherical or ovoid in shape, had a smooth surface, the average maximal cross-sectional diameter was 2.8cm. On CT scan(21 tumors), the lesions showed solid(11 lesions) or cystic(10 lesions) and the solid part of tumor showed hyperdensity compared with normal parotid gland. All the 32 tumors detected by MRI examination in our series showed low SI on T1WI and heterogeneous high SI(27 lesions) on T2WI with fat-suppression. Cystic area showed long T1, T2 signal intensities. Sixteen lesions had high-SI area on T1WI. Most of the lesions showed a rapid early moderate enhancement and rapid washout later after contrast administration. Some tumors showed enhanced capsule. Conclusion: With the characteristic clinical and imaging features of Warthin tumor in parotid glands, it is helpful to preoperative diagnosis.
2011, Vol. 22 
