Preoperative Magnetic Resonance Image and Computerized Tomography Findings Predictive of Facial Nerve Invasion in Patients with Parotid Cancer without Preoperative Facial Weakness?A Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract

(1) Background: Facial nerve resection with reconstruction helps achieve optimal outcomes in the treatment of facial nerve invasion (FNI) of parotid cancer. Preoperative imaging is crucial to predict facial nerve reconstruction. The radiological findings of CT or MRI may predict FNI in the parotid cancer even without facial paralysis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 151 patients without facial nerve paralysis before surgery who had undergone tumor resection. Previously untreated parotid cancers were included. (2) Results: The median follow-up duration was 62 months (range: 24-120 months). The FNI (+) group (n = 30) showed a significantly worse 5-year overall survival compared with the FNI (-) group (75.5 vs. 93.9%; hazard ratio = 4.19; 95% confidence interval: 1.74-10.08; p = 0.001). The tumor margin, tumor size, presence in the anterolateral parotid region (area 3), retromandibular vein involvement, distance from the stylomastoid foramen to the upper tumor margin, and a high tumor grade were significant factors related to FNI in the univariate analysis. A spiculated tumor margin, the tumor size (2.2 cm), and presence in area 3 were factors predicting FNI in the logistic regression model (p = 0.020, 0.005, and 0.050, respectively; odds ratio: 4.02, 6.40, and 8.16, respectively). (3) Conclusions: The tumor size (≥2.2 cm), spiculated margin, and presence in area 3 as presented in CT and MRI may help clinicians preoperatively predict FNI in patients with parotid cancer and establish an appropriate surgical plan.