Objective To explore the diagnostic value of virtual touch tissue imaging quantification (VTIQ) technique combined with high-frequency ultrasound in diagnosis of benign and malignant parotid masses.

Methods A total of 83 parotid masses undergoing high-frequency ultrasound and VTIQ confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed. The diagnostic efficacy of high frequency ultrasound and VTIQ and their combination in diagnosis of benign and malignant parotid masses was analyzed.

Results Multivariate regression analysis showed that diameter of tumor >24.5 mm, ambiguous boundary, no enhancement of posterior echo, no liquefaction within the mass and abundant blood flow were independent predictive features of malignant parotid mass. The accuracy of distinguishing benign and malignant parotid masses with more than 3 malignant ultrasonic features was 66.3%. The maximum shear velocity >6.345 m/s was an independent predictive feature of malignant parotid mass, with an accuracy of 77.1%. The accuracy of distinguishing benign and malignant parotid masses with more than 4 malignant features was 79.5%. The accuracy of combined diagnosis was significantly higher than that of high-frequency ultrasound alone (P < 0.05).

Conclusion The combination of VTIQ technology and high-frequency ultrasound can improve the diagnostic efficiency of benign and malignant parotid masses.