OBJECTIVETo promote the diagnostic accuracy of salivary Warthin's tumor by summarizing the ultrasonographic features of salivary Warthin's tumor.

METHODSSixty-nine lesions (58 patients with salivary Warthin's tumor) were retrospectively studied by ultrasonography and confirmed by histopathology.

RESULTSThe ultrasonographic manifestations of salivary Warthin's tumor demonstrated in three patterns.Type I: Solid mass(34 lesions, 49.3%), the mass was solid, grid-shaped echo inside. The mass was pathologically composed of such various tissues as epithelial cells, lymphatic organization, fibrous tissue which were compactly and evenly arranged, and little mucous formed the cyst cavity in which there projected epithelial papilla. Type II: Cystic-solid mixed mass(30 lesions, 43.5%), there was no flake-like echo, cystic-solid boundary was clear. Histopathological study revealed glandular epithelium made up irregular catheter and cyst cavity with yellowish mucous, glue-frozen-like stuff or brown colloidal substances. Type III: Cystic mass (5 lesions, 7.2%), the mass manifested separated cystic echo crumbs. The histopathological study showed salivary Warthin's tumor with infarctions and infections. The coincidence of ultrasound and histopathology diagnose was 79.7%.

CONCLUSIONThe ultrasonographic features of salivary Warthin's tumor are mainly based on the organization of histopathological study. The grasp of various ultrasonographic imagings and pathological changes is beneficial for increasing the accuracy rate of diagnosis higher.