Histological Patterns of Salivary Gland Tumor Observed by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscope

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to observe the three-dimensional images of histological patterns of salivary gland tumor by optical sections in confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). We observed luminal structures in pleomorphic adenoma (PA), comedo necrosis in salivary duct carcinoma (SDC), and cribriform pattern in SDC and in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC). CLSM images showed that a certain type of luminal structures formed duct-like structures in PA, and that most of luminal structures of cribriform patterns were cavities. The present study indicated that 3 D images might distinguish between ductal structure and cystic cavity. Further studies on 3 D image of the histological pattern may provide more useful findings to make a final diagnosis.