Click the arrow to see the next slide with the correct interpretation.
29-Year-Old Male with an Enlarging Left Cheek Mass
This case features a 29-year-old male presenting with an enlarging left cheek mass, ultimately diagnosed with mucoepidermoid carcinoma of a minor salivary gland.
Imaging overview:
Axial T2 MRI demonstrates a T2/STIR hyperintense mass in the left cheek. Axial and coronal T1 post-Dixon contrast-enhanced MRI shows an ill-defined, peripherally and irregularly enhancing mass, without well-circumscribed margins, raising concern for a high-grade lesion. The infiltrative margins and solid morphology are imaging features associated with higher-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
Clinical insight:
Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is among the most common malignant tumors of both the major and minor salivary glands. Minor salivary gland tumors carry a higher likelihood of malignancy than those arising in the major salivary glands, making careful imaging evaluation essential. Imaging features may reflect tumor grade: low-grade mucoepidermoid carcinomas are typically cystic, T2-hyperintense, and well-circumscribed, while high-grade tumors tend to be solid with infiltrative margins and lower T2 signal intensity. These imaging characteristics can guide clinical suspicion, but tissue sampling remains necessary for definitive diagnosis and grading.
Case courtesy of Nusheen Immen, BS, and Alysha Vartevan, DO, Camelback Radiology.