Female, 62 years old, history of left submandibular mass, FNA was likely adenoid cystic. A well circumscribed T1 hypointense, T2 hyperintense and uniformly enhancing mass is present within or adjacent to the left submandibular gland. This lesion measures 18 x 11 mm in the axial plane and up to 16 mm in the coronal plane.Although there are no pathologically enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, a 7-mm node just posterior to the left submandibular gland (image 23 series 1401), and even smaller nodes more posteriorly (image 26 series 1401) do enhance more than other lymph nodes in the neck.The remaining salivary glands and thyroid are unremarkable. The aerodigestive mucosal tissues are free of mass lesions. Signal characteristics are within normal limits.
A well circumscribed, homogeneously enhancing nodule within or immediately adjacent to the left submandibular gland is clearly of different tissue composition than the gland itself and is therefore highly suspicious for tumor. Both benign and malignant tumors would be in the differential.There are no pathologically enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. However, two small lymph nodes at level 2 on the left do show enhancement which is more intense than that of other normal-appearing lymph nodes, and as such these nodes are suspicious.