Magnetic resonance imaging of salivary gland cancer

—Points of differential diagnosis and staging—

Abstract

MR imaging provides a means of noninvasive imaging of the salivary glands with excellent spatial resolution and soft tissue contrast. The goals of salivary gland cancer imaging are two-fold: histological differential diagnosis, and localization and determination of the extent of the tumors. We describe the radiologic information essential for devising a treatment plan and choosing the surgical technique.