Diagnostic accuracy of 2-[fluorine-18]fluro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography imaging in nonsquamous tumors of the head and neck.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 2-[fluorine-18]fluro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) for detecting nonsquamous tumors of the extracranial head and neck (NSTHN).


METHODS
The records of all patients with suspected or proven NSTHN undergoing PET imaging in our institution over a 12-year period were reviewed. Forty-four patients (24 males and 20 females; age range, 6-81 years; mean age, 51.2 years) were classified into 3 main groups: thyroid tumors (n = 19), salivary gland tumors (n = 7), and miscellaneous lesions (n = 18). The PET findings for each individual group with respect to the primary site, cervical nodal and distant metastases, were correlated with histopathology or follow-up (2-year minimum)


RESULTS
The overall diagnostic accuracy of FDG-PET for all NSTHN was 86%, However, the diagnostic accuracy varied for the histologic subtype (thyroid, salivary, miscellaneous) and the area being evaluated (primary site, nodal metastases, distant metastases).


CONCLUSIONS
There is variable diagnostic accuracy of FDG-PET in detecting different histologic subtypes of NSTHN. This information should be taken into consideration when considering PET for evaluation of NSTHN.
Bui
Chuong D
CD
Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health Systems, 1500 E. Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0030, USA.
Ching
Alex S C
AS
Carlos
Ruth C
RC
Shreve
Paul D
PD
Mukherji
Suresh K
SK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018276:Carcinoma, Medullary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002291:Carcinoma, Papillary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed
D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18