Detection of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinomas with thallium-201 single-photon emission computed tomography in patients with indeterminate magnetic resonance imaging findings after radiotherapy.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of thallium-201 (Tl-201) single-photon emission CT (SPECT) to detect recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinomas (NPC) when MRI findings are indeterminate.


METHODS
After radiotherapy, 26 NPC patients with indeterminate MRI findings were included in this study. MRI, Tl-201, and biopsy were performed at least 4 months after radiotherapy and within 1 week. The final results were based on histopathologic findings and clinical follow-up after at least 6 months.


RESULTS
For detecting recurrent NPC in indeterminate MRI findings, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of Tl-201 SPECT were 92.3%, 92.3%, and 92.3%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
On the basis of this result, Tl-201 SPECT seems to be effective in detecting recurrent NPC when MRI findings are indeterminate.
Tai
Chih-Jaan
CJ
Department of Otolaryngology, China Medical College Hospital, No. 2, Yuh Der Road, Taichung 404, Taiwan.
Liang
Ji-An
JA
Yang
Shih-Neng
SN
Tsai
Ming-Hsui
MH
Lin
Cheng-Chieh
CC
Kao
Chia-Hung
CH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013794:Thallium Radioisotopes; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D013794:Thallium Radioisotopes