MRI Features in Submandibular Gland Chronic Sclerosing Sialadenitis: A Report of Three Cases and Imaging Findings

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic sclerosing sialadenitis (Küttner tumor) is a relatively uncommon and often under-recognized cause of salivary gland enlargement, characterised by sclerosing IgG4-related inflammation, producing a hard swelling of the gland that mimics malignancy. The name tumor is tricky and misleading, in fact the disease has no histological features of malignancy, but still it cannot easily be distinguished from cancer because of its hard consistency to touch. Case Reports: We aim to report three cases of Küttner tumor and to review morphological MRI features (homogeneous T1- and T2-hypointensity, homogeneous contrast enhancement) and diffusion weighted imaging findings (low ADC values) which can help radiologists to reach the correct diagnosis. Conclusion: Definite diagnosis of Küttner tumor is histopathological. However imaging features are straightforward and can address radiologists toward the correct diagnosis.

Keywords

• chronic sclerosing sialadenitis
• head and neck
• submandibular gland