The reliability of F18-FDG-PET/CT in tumordiagnostics of Head-and-Neck squamous-cell carcinoma

Introduction:

F18-FDG-PET/CT plays an important role in tumor-staging of Head-and-Neck squamous-cell carcinoma. It gives the possibility to detect primary tumors and local and distant metastasis. Some studies have found a sensivity of up to 96% for PET/CT. Other have assessed a lower sensivity. Aim of this study was to compare the results of preoperative PET/CT with the histopathology results.

Methods:

In this restrospective study 11 patients (Age 53 to 82 years) had been examined. They were examined with PET/CT because of high suspicion of having a Head-and-Neck squamous-cell carcinoma. The results of PET/CT were compared with the histopathology results.

Results:

All subjects had positive findings of suspicious lymph-nodes in PET/CT. After surgery in 4 subjects no malignancy could be found in the histopathology results. In 7 subjects metastasis in lymph nodes were found.

Conclusion:

All activities in PET/CT have always to be evaluated with possible differential diagnosis. Further investigations is needed to evaluate how good the relieability of PET/CT results are, especially towards negative results and towards micrometastasis in lymph nodes. More patients will be included in this study.

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 April 2018 (online)