MR Imaging Characteristics of Myoepithelial Carcinoma Ex Pleomorphic Adenoma of the Palate: Rare Case Report

Abstract

Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma is an uncommon tumor of salivary gland; moreover, myoepithelial carcinoma of palate is exceedingly rare. This report documents a case of carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma arising in the hard palate. A 51-year-old woman presented with foreign body sensation without pain. Preoperative biopsy was performed and resulted in pleomorphic adenoma of the hard palate. MR imaging findings were well circumscribed, dome-shaped, lobulated mass with hyposignal intensity at peripheral fibrous capsule on T2WI. The mass showed internal cyst, hemorrhage, necrosis and heterogeneous enhancement. Because it showed both benign and malignant findings, the radiologic diagnosis was likely to be a malignant tumor of palate. Postoperative pathological analysis revealed invasive myoepithelial carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma.