Current use of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
The history and physical examination, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging are the cornerstones for identifying new and recurrent cancers of the head and neck. The advent of positron emission tomography (PET) and combined PET/CT imaging technology is a promising development. These modalities have the potential to help stage patients presenting with head and neck cancer, identify responses to nonsurgical therapy, and allow earlier detection of recurrence in the hope of improving survival. The following paper provides a brief history of PET and PET/CT imaging. The current PET and PET/CT literature for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is reviewed, and specific recommendations for its use are provided.
Zimmer
Lee A
LA
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. leeazimmer@yahoo.com
Branstetter
Barton F
BF
Nayak
Jayakar V
JV
Johnson
Jonas T
JT
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18