The role of FDG-PET/CT imaging in head and neck malignant conditions: impact on diagnostic accuracy and patient care.
BACKGROUND
To assess the value of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in patients with head and neck carcinoma as compared with PET and conventional imaging alone, and to assess the impact of PET/CT on further clinical management.


METHODS
Prospective nonrandomized study.


METHODS
Ninety patients with head and neck tumors had 107 PET/CT examinations.


RESULTS
The study analysis showed that PET/CT had a sensitivity of 89%, specificity 95%, PPV 94%, NPV 90%, and accuracy of 92%. PET/CT altered management in 51 patients (56%). PET/CT eliminated the need for previously planned diagnostic procedures in 24 patients, induced a change in the planned therapeutic approach in 21 patients and guided biopsy in 6 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
PET/CT is an imaging modality with high diagnostic performance in the assessment of head and neck cancer, and induced a change in further clinical management in more than half of the study population.
Gordin
Arie
A
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Rambam Health Care Campus, Haifa, Israel. ariegor@hotmail.com
Golz
Avishay
A
Keidar
Zohar
Z
Daitzchman
Marcello
M
Bar-Shalom
Rachel
R
Israel
Ora
O
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D051598:Whole Body Imaging
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18