(1) To review the MRI protocol to explore parotid tumors, (2) To show the usefulness of MRI in exploring a parotide masse using conventional and functional sequences, (3) To establish a diagnostic algorithm based on imaging findings and compare it to histology findings.

This study is a retrospective analysis of clinical, radiological and histological data of 42 patients explored in our department for parotid gland tumor during 10 years (from 2006 to 2016).

During the study period, a parotid gland MRI were carried out for all patients, we compared imaging findings with histology results (biopsy or parotidectomy pathology study). The diagnostic algorithm was based on morphologic sequences combined with modern functional findings (diffusion ADC ratio and perfusion pattern). We concluded to benign tumors in 37 cases and malignant tumors in 5 cases with a sensitivity of 100 %, a specificity of 60 %, positive predictive value of 95 % and negative predictive value of 100 %.

The use of modern MRI sequences such as diffusion perfusion allowed the radiologist to accurately characterize a parotid tumor and give crucial data about its local extension.