Identification of Warthin??s Tumor with Technetium-99m Pertechnetate

Abstract

Salivary gland imaging with Tc-99m pertechnetate is a useful procedure for evaluating the functional status of salivary glands. The only neoplasms of salivary glands known to consistently concentrate Tc-99m pertechnetate are Warthin''s tumor and oncocytoma. In the five cases presented, increased concentration of Tc-99m pertechnetate was seen in these tumors of the parotid glands. This finding was useful for preoperative identification of Warthin''s tumor. During this investigation, the concentration of Tc-99m pertechnetate in Warthin''s tumor varied by histologic type. Thus a dynamic study may be helpful in evaluating the accumulation rate of Tc-99m pertechnetate into this tumor type. Because the retention of Tc-99m pertechnetate in tumor following stimulation is useful for the diagnosis of Warthin''s tumor, a washout image is of importance in establishing this diagnosis.