Correlation of radiological imaging methods with histopathological results in parotid tumors

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic value of radiological imaging methods in the preoperative evaluation of parotid lesions by retrospectively comparing the histopathological results and radiological imaging of cases operated for parotid tumor. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the effectiveness of radiological imaging methods in parotid masses by retrospectively comparing the preoperative radiological imaging of 91 cases we operated for parotid mass in Dicle University Faculty of Medicine, Otorhinolaryngology Clinic in the last 10 years (2012-2021) with the operation materials of the same patients. Results: A total of 91 patients, 50 (54.9%) female patients and 41 (45.1%) male patients with parotid gland mass, were included in our study. The mean age of female patients was 45.14(years); The mean age of male patients is 46.56 (years). When the malign and benign sensitivity and specificity of imaging methods in parotid gland masses were examined, it was seen that the sensitivity of computed tomography for malignancy was 75.00%, the specificity was 84.50%, the negative predictive value was 92.30%, and the positive predictive value was 57.69. It was found that the sensitivity of MR was 70.00%, the specificity was 84.50%, the negative predictive value was 90.90%, and the positive predictive value was 56.00% in the differentiation of benign and malignant masses in parotid gland masses. Conclusion: Radiological imaging methods (MRI and CT) in the preoperative period; Diagnosis, size of the lesion, location, accompanying pathologies, and ultimately the operation planning are very guiding methods for the surgeon, although they are insufficient in making a definitive diagnosis, they are also extremely useful methods in distinguishing malignant-benign lesions. Key words: Parotid, tumor, radiology, pathology, sensitivity, specificity