ALGORITHMS FOR PREOPERATIVE RADIOLOGIC EXAMINATION OF PATIENTS WITH
SUSPECTED TUMOR PROCESS IN THE MAJOR SALIVARY GLANDS
Bubnova E.V., Vishnyova N.V., Lukina O.V., Yaremenko A.I.
The Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University. Saint Petersburg, Russia.
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urpose. Development of the algorithms for preoperative radiological examination of patients with suspected tumor processes in the major salivary glands.
Materials and methods. The study included 603 patients who underwent examination in departments of the Scientific and Clinical Center of Radiological Diagnostics and Radiation Therapy of the Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and received treatment at the Clinic of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation between June 13, 2013, and October 20, 2025 (observation period of 12 years). Among the total number of patients examined, 306 patients (50.75%) were suspected of having a salivary gland neoplasm. All patients with suspected neoplastic process underwent ultrasound examination on various devices in the clinics of the University, in polyclinics at the patients' place of residence and in various medical centers of St. Petersburg. In addition, 294 patients with suspected salivary gland neoplasms underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using a Signa HDxt (General Electric) 1.5 T device, and 61 patients underwent Multidetector computed tomography.
Results. Among patients with suspected salivary gland neoplasms, 2 groups were identified: primary patients (n=265) and patients with suspected recurrence of a neoplastic process (n=41). Of the 265 primary patients, the diagnosis of a neoplasm was confirmed histologically in 193 patients (32% of all patients examined, 63.1% of patients with suspected salivary gland neoplasms). Of the 41 patients with suspected recurrence, 35 patients (5.8% of all patients examined, 11.4% of patients with suspected salivary gland tumors) had a histologically confirmed diagnosis of a neoplasm. Data from the electronic medical history, the results of radiological imaging methods, as well as the data from the postoperative histological examination, were combined into a database that was registered by the state on October 16, 2025. By studying the prevalence of salivary gland neoplasms (according to the data of the Pavlov First Saint Petersburg State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation), it was found that both among primary patients and among patients with suspected recurrence of salivary gland neoplasms, the majority of patients had benign neoplasms: 85% and 77%, respectively. Among the malignant neoplasms of the salivary glands among the patients we examined, the most common were: acinous cell carcinoma (8550/3) – in 25% of cases, mucoepidermoid carcinoma (430/3) – in 18% of cases and carcinoma from pleomorphic adenoma (8941/3) – in 14% of cases.
Discussion. Based on the data obtained during the study, we propose 3 algorithms for examining patients with suspected neoplastic processes in the salivary glands. Before performing a biopsy or surgery, it is possible to use ultrasound or multidetector computed tomography as the only methods of radiological diagnostics (if magnetic resonance imaging is not available). For a complete preoperative assessment of the structure of salivary gland neoplasms (including preoperative prediction of the histological structure of salivary gland neoplasms), magnetic resonance imaging must be performed, together with ultrasound and as the only method of radiation diagnosis. In addition, Multidetector computed tomography (including CT sialography and intravenous contrast administration) can be used as an additional radiological technique to visualize displacement and deformation of the salivary ducts.
Conclusion. Preoperative radiological assessment is an important factor in the effectiveness of treatment for salivary gland neoplasms. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most effective method for preoperative prediction of the histological structure of salivary gland neoplasms. Multidetector computed tomography (including MSCT-sialography) can be used as an additional technique for imaging the salivary ducts.
Keywords: salivary gland neoplasms, MDCT, MRI.
Corresponding author: Lukina O.V., e-mail: Этот e-mail адрес защищен от спам-ботов, для его просмотра у Вас должен быть включен Javascript
For citation: Bubnova E.V., Vishnyova N.V., Lukina O.V., Yaremenko A.I. Algorithms for preoperative radiologic examination of patients with suspected tumor process in the major salivary glands. REJR 2025; 15(4):46-62. DOI: 10.21569/2222-7415-2025-15-4-46-62.
Received: 13.08.25 Accepted: 27.10.25