title: [Image fusion of bone SPECT and CT - a specific diagnostic method in oral and maxillofacial surgery].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the benefit of image fusion of CT (computertomography) and bone SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) in diagnosis of head and neck cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computer based image fusion has been applied in 39 patients with suspected cancer in the oromaxillofacial region following CT and SPECT without any further hazard for the patients. Afterwards image fusion was set in comparision to simultaneously evaluation of CT and SPECT and histological findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 5 out of 39 patients SPECT/CT image fusion obtained more precise anatomical findings in tumour expansion than simultaneously evaluation of CT and SPECT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For planning of surgical and radiation therapy of oral and maxillofacial cancer, image fusion of CT/SPECT provides efficient and plastical diagnostic imaging. Particularly in complex anatomical regions like maxilla or base of the skull image fusion could be an additional device, if simultaneous evaluation of CT and SPECT is not clear.
authors.affiliation: Universitätsklinik für Mund-, Kiefer- und Plastische Gesichtschirurgie, Bochum, Germany. Denys.Loeffelbein@ruhr-uni-bochum.de
authors.forename: Denys John
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Loeffelbein
authors.forename: Marco Rainer
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kesting
authors.forename: Eckhart
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mielke
authors.forename: Margot
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jonas
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hölzle
authors.forename: Klaus-Dietrich
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Wolff
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007573:Jaw Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015899:Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed