MR Findings of Nine Cases of Palatal Tumor

Abstract

PURPOSE: To assess the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of pathologically confirmed palatal tumors. METHODS: Nine cases of palatal tumor were studied. Clinical data, MRI findings, and pathological diagnoses were evaluated. RESULTS: Five cases were tumors of the hard palate and four of the soft palate. Signal intensity on T1-weighted images varied, and hyperintensity was observed on T2-weighted images. Adenoid cystic carcinoma and diffuse large B cell lymphoma showed homogenous signal intensity. Other tumors showed heterogeneous signal intensities. On dynamic contrast analysis, malignant pleomorphic adenoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and peripheral T cell lymphoma showed early enhancement. On post-contrast T1-weighted images, hard palate pleomorphic adenoma, malignant pleomorphic adenoma, adenoid cystic carcinoma, diffuse large B cell lymphoma, and peripheral T cell lymphoma showed strong enhancement. Although the borders of the tumors were classified as clear in 6 cases treated surgically, macroscopic and microscopic borders of the tumors were unclear. Adenoid cystic carcinoma and hard palate diffuse large B cell lymphoma invaded the maxillary bone. CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance findings of palatal tumor varied in different histologies. Even with a small palpable portion, malignant tumors could directly infiltrate surrounding structures, which demonstrated well on MRI.