HEAD AND NECK RADIOLOGY / ORIGINAL PAPER
Shear wave elastography and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging for oral carcinoma and benign lesions with a focus on buccal, sublingual, and submandibular spaces
1
The Nippon Dental University Home Dental Care Niigata Clinic, Niigata, Japan
2
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dry Mouth Clinic, The Nippon Dental University Niigata Hospital, Niigata, Japan
3
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, The Nippon Dental University School of Life Dentistry at Niigata, Niigata, Japan
Submission date: 2025-12-24
Acceptance date: 2026-02-26
Publication date: 2026-08-07
Corresponding author
Ichiro Ogura
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, The Nippon Dental University School of Life Dentistry at Niigata, 1-8 Hamaura-cho, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Niigata 951-8580, Japan
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, The Nippon Dental University School of Life Dentistry at Niigata, 1-8 Hamaura-cho, Chuo-ku, Niigata, Niigata 951-8580, Japan
Pol J Radiol, 2026; 91(1): 371-376
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to research shear wave elastography (SWE) and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) for oral carcinoma and benign lesions in buccal, sublingual, and submandibular spaces.
Material and methods:
Eighteen patients with lesions in buccal, sublingual, and submandibular spaces were evaluated using SWE and DWI. Maximum shear elastic modulus data were analysed using a SWE software. Mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were analysed using ADC maps with DWI. The shear elastic modulus and ADC value for oral carcinoma and benign lesions were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. The relationship between shear elastic modulus and ADC value was assessed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
Results:
The shear elastic modulus of the oral carcinoma (116.6 kPa) was higher than those of the benign lesions (47.0 kPa). The ADC value of oral carcinoma (1.14 × 10–3 mm2s–1) was lower than those of benign lesions (1.62 × 10–3 mm2s–1). The ADC value was significantly correlated with shear elastic modulus (Y = –88.8X + 207.2, R2 = 0.408, p = 0.004).
Conclusions:
The SWE and ADC with DWI can be useful in the quantitative evaluation of oral carcinoma and benign lesions.
The aim of this study was to research shear wave elastography (SWE) and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) for oral carcinoma and benign lesions in buccal, sublingual, and submandibular spaces.
Material and methods:
Eighteen patients with lesions in buccal, sublingual, and submandibular spaces were evaluated using SWE and DWI. Maximum shear elastic modulus data were analysed using a SWE software. Mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were analysed using ADC maps with DWI. The shear elastic modulus and ADC value for oral carcinoma and benign lesions were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. The relationship between shear elastic modulus and ADC value was assessed by Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
Results:
The shear elastic modulus of the oral carcinoma (116.6 kPa) was higher than those of the benign lesions (47.0 kPa). The ADC value of oral carcinoma (1.14 × 10–3 mm2s–1) was lower than those of benign lesions (1.62 × 10–3 mm2s–1). The ADC value was significantly correlated with shear elastic modulus (Y = –88.8X + 207.2, R2 = 0.408, p = 0.004).
Conclusions:
The SWE and ADC with DWI can be useful in the quantitative evaluation of oral carcinoma and benign lesions.
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