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External auditory canal and middle ear tumors: characterization by morphology and diffusion features on CT and MRI

  • Otology
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

To explore the value of morphology and diffusion features on CT and MRI in the characterization of external auditory canal and middle ear tumors (EAMETs).

Methods

Forty-seven patients with histologically proved EAMETs (23 benign and 24 malignant) who underwent CT and MRI were retrospectively analyzed in this study. CT and MRI characteristics (including size, shape, signal intensity, border, enhancement degree, and bone changes) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value were analyzed and compared between benign and malignant EAMETs. Logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and Delong test were performed to assess the diagnostic performance.

Results

Compared with benign tumors, the malignant EAMETs are characterized by irregular shape, ill-defined border, invasive bone destruction, and intense enhancement (all p < 0.05). There were no significant differences on the size and signal intensity between benign and malignant tumors. The ADC value of malignant tumors were (879.96 ± 201.15) × 10–6 mm2/s, which was significantly lower than benign ones (p < 0.05). Logistic regression demonstrates the presence of ill-defined margin, invasive bone destruction, and low ADC value (≤ 920.33 × 10–6 mm2/s) have significant relationship with malignant EAMETs. The combination of characterization by morphology and diffusion features on CT and MRI can further improve the diagnostic efficiency when compared with morphology and diffusion features alone (both p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Some CT and MRI characteristics are helpful in identifying malignant EAMETs from benign ones (especially ill-defined margin, invasive bone destruction, and low ADC value), and the combination of morphology and diffusion features on CT and MRI has best diagnostic efficiency for discriminating these two entities.

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Funding

This study was supported by a grant-in-aid for scientific research from the Technology Plan of Jiangsu (No. H2019087), Translational Medicine Project of Wuxi health commission (No. ZZ002), and Youth Project of Wuxi health commission (No. Q202112).

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Author notes

  1. Peng Wang, Heng Zhang, and Jing Zhao contributed equally to this study.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, 1000 Hefeng Road, Wuxi, 214122, People’s Republic of China

    Peng Wang, Heng Zhang, Jing Zhao, Hongyan Qiao, Yuxi Ge & Shudong Hu

  2. Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University, 1000 Hefeng Road, Wuxi, 214122, People’s Republic of China

    Qingjun You

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  1. Peng Wang
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  2. Heng Zhang
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Correspondence to Qingjun You or Shudong Hu.

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Wang, P., Zhang, H., Zhao, J. et al. External auditory canal and middle ear tumors: characterization by morphology and diffusion features on CT and MRI. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 280, 605–611 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-022-07509-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-022-07509-1

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