LAUSR

ObjectiveThis study was performed to predict malignancy of submandibular gland tumors using the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC).MethodsIn total, 31 patients (19 male, 12 female; age, 16–71 years) with solid submandibular gland tumors were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent single-shot echo-planar diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the submandibular gland region. ADC maps of the submandibular gland were reconstructed. The ADC value of the submandibular gland tumors was calculated. A freehand region of interest encompassing the homogenous tumor and solid part of the heterogeneous tumor was established.ResultsThe mean ADC for submandibular gland malignancy (1.15 ± 0.09 × 10−3 mm2/s) was significantly lower than that for benignancy (1.55 ± 0.25 × 10−3 mm2/s, P = 0.001). An ADC of 1.26 × 10−3 mm2/s could predict malignancy of submandibular gland tumors with an area under the curve of 0.869, accuracy of 84%, sensitivity of 88%, and specificity of 81%.ConclusionThe ADC is a noninvasive imaging parameter that can be used for prediction of malignancy of submandibular gland tumors.