ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical value of ultrasonography in the differential diagnosis of benign andmalignant salivary gland tumors.MethodsUltrasound image data of 121 patients with salivary gland tumors were analyzedretrospectively

including 111 benign and 13 malignant

confirmed by post-surgical histopathology. Parameters includingmaximum diameter

height/width ratio

number of lesions

echogenicity

shape

margin

posterior echogenicity

cystic degeneration

calcification and grades of vascularity between benign and malignant tumors were collected and compared.The receiver operatingcharacteristic（ROC） curve was plotted to calculate the diagnostic efficacy by these parameters.ResultsThere were nostatistically significant differences in maximum diameter

height/width ratio

number of lesions

echogenicity

shape

posteriorechogenicity

cystic degeneration and grades of vascularity between benign and malignant tumors. Parameters of margin andcalcification between benign and malignant tumors were significantly different（both P<0.05）. The sensitivity

specificity

andaccuracy of unclear margin in differentiation of malignant from benign neoplasms in the salivary gland were 46.15%

95.50%

and90.32%

respectively. The area under the curve was 0.708. The sensitivity

specificity

and accuracy of calcification indifferentiation of malignant were 30.77%

72.97%

68.55%

respectively.The area under the curve was 0.640.ConclusionIt isdifficult to differentiate benign and malignat salivary gland tumors according to a single feature of ultrasound image. Unclearborders and multiple internal calcifications are important features for differential diagnosis of salivary gland tumors.