title: Topographic metabolic map of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma using 18F-FDG PET and CT image fusion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To propose a methodologic approach to evaluate head and neck tumors in order to identify and distinguish areas of higher metabolic activity inside the lesion.
  
  
  METHODS
  The sample consisted of 17 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Images were simultaneously acquired using a nondedicated PET-CT device and an independent workstation with ENTEGRA 2 NT software to generate the image fusion between PET and CT. Sites of higher metabolic activity inside the tumor were classified as centric or eccentric according to their relative location to the lesion center.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-seven percent (n=13) of the patients presented the site of higher metabolic activity at the center of lesion, and in 23% (n=4) the uptake of the tracer was increased at the periphery of the lesion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This technique gave a realistic view of the functional metabolism, locating the anatomical tumor area and helping in future treatment planning.
authors.affiliation: Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, University of São Paulo College of Dentistry, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Denise Takehana
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.forename: Eduardo Nóbrega
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Pereira Lima
authors.forename: Rubens
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chojniak
authors.forename: Marcelo Gusmão Paraiso
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Cavalcanti
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005947:Glucose