Does 18fluoro-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography improve recurrence detection in patients treated for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with negative clinical follow-up?
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine the benefits of 18fluoro-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) in the detection of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) recurrence in patients with negative clinical follow-up.


METHODS
Whole-body 18FDG-PET was performed in 30 patients treated for HNSCC without any clinical element for recurrence.


RESULTS
Twenty-one negative PET and 9 positive results were seen. One patient with abnormal 18F-FDG uptake in the laryngeal area did not have recurrent HNSCC (false positive). Eight had proven recurrence. The sensitivity and specificity of 18F-FDG PET for the diagnosis of HNSCC recurrence were 100% (8/8) and 95% (21/22), respectively. The positive predictive value was 89% (8/9). The negative predictive value was 100% (21/21). The overall accuracy was 97% (29/30).


CONCLUSIONS
The results of our study confirm the high effectiveness of 18F-FDG PET in assessment of HNSCC recurrence and suggest that it is more accurate than conventional physical examination follow-up alone.
Salaun
Pierre Y
PY
Nuclear Medicine Department, University Hospital of Brest, Boulevard Tanguy Prigent, 29200 Brest, France. pierre-yves.salaun@chu-brest.fr
Abgral
Ronan
R
Querellou
Solène
S
Couturier
Olivier
O
Valette
Gérald
G
Bizais
Yves
Y
Kraeber-Bodéré
Françoise
F
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D051598:Whole Body Imaging
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18