State-of-the-Art Imaging of Salivary Gland Tumors

MR imaging is the modality of choice in the evaluation of salivary gland tumors. Post contrast MR imaging is adequate for the exact localization and extension of salivary gland tumors, and multiparametric of diffusion-weighted and dynamic contrast enhanced MR imaging helps in the characterization of benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. Imaging is important for preoperative localization, characterization of salivary gland tumors, and locoregional extension, perineural spread, and nodal and distant staging of malignant salivary gland tumors. Imaging has a role in detection of tumor recurrence, monitoring patients after therapy, prediction of malignant transformation of benign tumors, and differentiation of salivary gland tumors from simulating inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.