A case report of misdiagnosed adenoid cystic carcinoma of the parotid gland on ultrasound: imaging-pathological correlation and diagnostic implications

This case highlights ACC's propensity for "benign-mimicking" sonographic features (well-defined margins, posterior enhancement, hypovascularity), contributing to misdiagnosis. It underscores that integrating elastography (for assessing stiffness), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (for evaluating washout patterns), CT/MRI (for detecting suspicious perineural spread), and molecular biomarkers (e.g., low Ki-67) is crucial to improving diagnostic accuracy and optimizing follow-up management for ACC.