The aim of this retrospective study was to assess and compare the diagnostic value of fine-needle cytology and MRI for the prediction of malignancy in parotid tumors. During an 11-year period, 148 patients underwent preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology in our institution. Eighty-seven patients underwent a preoperative MRI study, and 54 had both MRI and cytology. The study compares results of cytology and MRI with histological reports. The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for detecting malignant lesions were 87, 94 and 93% respectively for MRI, 81, 95 and 92% respectively for cytology and 100, 88 and 91% respectively for both studies combined. Fine-needle cytology provided better information than MRI concerning precise histological diagnoses. Conversely, the proportion of non-diagnostic smears reached 10%. Fine-needle cytology and MRI are simple, well-tolerated diagnostic means with an impact on the management of salivary gland tumors. The associated anatomic information obtained by MRI imaging makes it the test of first choice in an optimal medical environment.

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Epithelioid angiosarcoma is a rare malignant vascular tumor with poor prognosis. Pleural or pericardial angiosarcomas are usually secondary tumors. We report a unique case of primary epithelioid angiosarcoma of the pleura and the pericardium in a 28-year-old man who was admitted for Pancoast Tobias syndrome. Thoracoscopy revealed a multifocal neoplasm and pleural biopsy showed a malignant tumor which histological and immunophenotypical features were characteristic of epithelioid angiosarcoma. (Ind J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2009; 25: 34-37)