Value of the combination of PET-CT and CEUS in tumor follow-up after primary radiochemotherapy for head and neck cancer – case studies

Advanced head and neck carcinomas (cN+) are frequently treated by primary radiochemotherapy. Evaluation of the response to therapy requires assessment of the primary tumor on the one hand and the neck lymph nodes on the other. In principle, vital residual tumor should be eliminated by a salvage operation or salvage neck dissection. With regard to the post-therapeutic evaluation of the neck lymph nodes, imaging techniques such as PET-CT as well as B-scan sonography play a crucial role. Complementary contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) can accurately visualize the microcirculation of the target lesion.Tumor entities are often accompanied by inflammation. PET-CT cannot reliably distinguish between residual inflammatory metabolism and residual, vital tumor tissue, thus the assessment of PET-CT may be limited in specificity, with high sensitivity. In combination with CEUS, a higher diagnostic accuracy can be achieved, as will be illustrated by various case studies from our clinical practice.

Publication History

Article published online:
12 May 2023