FDG-PET in the clinically negative neck in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
With improved diagnostic imaging techniques, it remains difficult to reduce occult metastatic disease in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) to less than 20%. Therefore, supraomohyoid neck dissection (SOHND) still is a valuable staging procedure in these patients.


METHODS
Patients with clinically and ultrasonographically staged cN0 SCC of the oral cavity underwent FDG-PET before SOHND. Histologic examination of neck dissection specimens was used as a "gold standard."


RESULTS
Twenty-eight consecutive patients were included, representing 30 necks. Occult metastatic disease was found in 30% of SOHND specimens. Average diameter of metastatic deposits was 4.3 mm. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FDG-PET was 33%, 76%, and 63%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with cN0 SCC of the oral cavity, FDG-PET does not contribute to the preoperative workup. FDG-PET does not replace SOHND as a staging procedure.
Wensing
Bart M
BM
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands. b.wensing@kno.umcn.nl
Vogel
Wouter V
WV
Marres
Henri A M
HA
Merkx
Matthias A W
MA
Postema
Ernst J
EJ
Oyen
Wim J G
WJ
van den Hoogen
Frank J A
FJ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D003581:Cytodiagnosis; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009333:Neck; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18