Detection of lymph node metastases of squamous-cell cancer of the head and neck with FDG-PET and MRI.
The uptake of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) in neck lymph nodes of twelve patients with a squamous-cell carcinoma of the oral cavity was studied with PET in order to detect and locate lymphogenic metastases.


METHODS
The results of FDG-PET imaging were compared with clinical, MRI and histopathologic findings. Standardized uptake values (SUV) were also calculated.


RESULTS
A sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 88% were calculated for FDG-PET. In contrast, a sensitivity of 36% and a specificity of 94% were calculated for MRI. Calculated SUVs for reactive lymph nodes, metastatic lymph nodes and the primary tumor were undifferentiated.


CONCLUSIONS
Using FDG-PET, lymph node metastases of squamous-cell carcinomas of the oral cavity can be visualized with a high sensitivity and specificity. FDG-PET can be an improvement in the evaluation of the neck.
Braams
J W
JW
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, National Research PET Center, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Pruim
J
J
Freling
N J
NJ
Nikkels
P G
PG
Roodenburg
J L
JL
Boering
G
G
Vaalburg
W
W
Vermey
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary*; D003847:Deoxyglucose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D005260:Female; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000556:secondary*; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging
D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D003847:Deoxyglucose