[Contribution of 18FDG PET/CT post treatment surveillance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the contribution of 18FDG positron emission tomography for the post treatment surveillance of head and neck carcinomas.


METHODS
: This prospective study included 61 patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the upper airways and/or digestive tract and who underwent curative treatment. Patients underwent a standard workup (physical examination, CT scan and panendoscopy) and a PET/CT image fusion 3 months after the end of treatment. The follow-up was 6 months minimum in all patients after this workup. PET/CT was evaluated in terms of: primary tumor, cervical lymph nodes, metastases and overall patient assessment.


RESULTS
: For diagnosis of the primary tumor, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of PET/CT were respectively 86.7%, 82.6%, 62%, 95% and 83.6%. Values for cervical lymph nodes were: 100%, 98.2%, 80%, 100% and 98.3%. Values for metastases were: 100%, 92.2%, 66.7%, 100% and 93.2%. Values for overall patient assessment were: 88.8%, 78.1%, 64%, 94.1% and 81.4%. Performances of PET/CT were better than standard workup in 22% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
PET/CT contributes useful information in this indication, particularly an excellent negative predictive value.
Fakhry
N
N
Service d'ORL et de Chirurgie Cervico-faciale du Professeur Zanaret, hôpital Timone, 264 rue Saint-Pierre, 13385 Marseille Cedex 05.
Barberet
M
M
Paris
J
J
Jacob
T
T
Deveze
A
A
Mundler
O
O
Giovanni
A
A
Zanaret
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18