CT findings of basal cell adenoma of the parotid gland

Objective To investigate the CT features of basal cell adenoma of the parotid gland.Methods CT features of basal cell adenoma in four patients who were confirmed by operation and pathology were reviewed retrospectively. The CT images were analyzed by two experienced radiologists with respect to the location, size, margin, morphology, enhancement degree and enhancement pattern.Results The four patients suffered from solitary tumor locating in the superficial lobe abutted on the capsule of the gland. All masses were round in shape, small in diameter and well circumscribed with smooth contours. The tumors in two cases showed cystic areas in the center, with one of them had several gravel calcifications in the mass. All the four tumors showed a moderately increasing-type enhancement, with homogeneous enhancement in two cases and ring-like enhancement in one case. Conclusion Diagnosis of basal cell adenoma of parotid gland should be consider when an old woman has a small single round cystic mass located in the superficial lobe of the gland, with smooth contour and ring-like enhancement.