Clinical, CT, and MR Findings for the Pretreatment Diagnosis of Primary Epithelial Tumors of the Lacrimal Gland
5 affiliations
- 1Division of Medical Imaging, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Banciao, Taipei, Taiwan
- 2School of Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
- 3Department of Radiology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- 4Department of Radiology, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- 5Neuroscience Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
Abstract
Introduction/Background: The diagnosis of benign and malignant primary epithelial tumors of the lacrimal gland (PET-LG) is challenging. This study was designed to obtain a pretreatment diagnosis of adenoma and Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC) of the LG based on clinical and imaging features.
Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 18 patients with histologically confirmed PET-LG (6 adenomas and 12 ACCs). Demographic data, clinical outcomes, and imaging findings were collected. MR findings included lesion size, signals, contrast enhancement patterns, DWI/ADC values, and evidence of orbital involvement. For ACC cases, CT findings were compared with MRI findings using pathological evidence as the reference. Statistical analyses were performed to assess differences between the adenoma and ACC groups.
Results: ACCs showed a more aggressive imaging pattern than adenomas. Compared with adenomas, ACCs were larger at presentation and more frequently demonstrated vivid contrast enhancement, orbital wall destruction, and extraocular muscle involvement. Among these findings, orbital wall invasion and extraocular muscle involvement were the most robust imaging features associated with ACC. In contrast, adenoma more commonly showed smooth orbital wall erosion or remodeling. For assessing bone invasion in ACC, MRI showed higher sensitivity and accuracy than CT, whereas CT remained useful for evaluating cortical bone changes.
Discussion: Imaging findings can be used to diagnose benign and malignant PET-LG. MRI plays a pivotal role in identifying these imaging features for clinical staging, but CT remains valuable for detecting bone erosion.
Conclusion: We suggest applying both CT and MR of the orbit as imaging techniques to enhance pretreatment planning.
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BibTeX
@article{chang2026clinical,
title = {{Clinical, CT, and MR Findings for the Pretreatment Diagnosis of Primary Epithelial Tumors of the Lacrimal Gland}},
author = {Yu-Yun Chang and Kuei-Hong Kuo and Hsin-Wei Wu and Chia-Hung Wu and Te-Ming Lin and Jung-Hsuan Chen and Chung-Han Yang and Feng-Chi Chang},
journal = {Current Medical Imaging},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.2174/0115734056474643260813050851},
url = {https://doi.org/10.2174/0115734056474643260813050851},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Clinical, CT, and MR Findings for the Pretreatment Diagnosis of Primary Epithelial Tumors of the Lacrimal Gland
AU - Yu-Yun Chang
AU - Kuei-Hong Kuo
AU - Hsin-Wei Wu
AU - Chia-Hung Wu
AU - Te-Ming Lin
AU - Jung-Hsuan Chen
AU - Chung-Han Yang
AU - Feng-Chi Chang
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/24
JO - Current Medical Imaging
DO - 10.2174/0115734056474643260813050851
UR - https://doi.org/10.2174/0115734056474643260813050851
AB - Introduction/Background: The diagnosis of benign and malignant primary epithelial tumors of the lacrimal gland (PET-LG) is challenging. This study was designed to obtain a pretreatment diagnosis of adenoma and Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma (ACC) of the LG based on clinical and imaging features. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 18 patients with histologically confirmed PET-LG (6 adenomas and 12 ACCs). Demographic data, clinical outcomes, and imaging findings were collected. MR findings included lesion size, signals, contrast enhancement patterns, DWI/ADC values, and evidence of orbital involvement. For ACC cases, CT findings were compared with MRI findings using pathological evidence as the reference. Statistical analyses were performed to assess differences between the adenoma and ACC groups. Results: ACCs showed a more aggressive imaging pattern than adenomas. Compared with adenomas, ACCs were larger at presentation and more frequently demonstrated vivid contrast enhancement, orbital wall destruction, and extraocular muscle involvement. Among these findings, orbital wall invasion and extraocular muscle involvement were the most robust imaging features associated with ACC. In contrast, adenoma more commonly showed smooth orbital wall erosion or remodeling. For assessing bone invasion in ACC, MRI showed higher sensitivity and accuracy than CT, whereas CT remained useful for evaluating cortical bone changes. Discussion: Imaging findings can be used to diagnose benign and malignant PET-LG. MRI plays a pivotal role in identifying these imaging features for clinical staging, but CT remains valuable for detecting bone erosion. Conclusion: We suggest applying both CT and MR of the orbit as imaging techniques to enhance pretreatment planning.
SN - 1573-4056
ER -