title: Clinicopathological determinants of positron emission tomography computed tomography fluorodeoxyglucose standardised uptake value in head and neck carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Although positron emission tomography computed tomography has proven diagnostic and staging value in head and neck carcinoma, it does not have optimal sensitivity or specificity. The positron emission tomography computed tomography fluorodeoxyglucose standardised uptake value has been shown to be associated with carcinoma stage. This study evaluated the impact of major clinicopathological factors on the standardised uptake value at the primary site and at neck lymph node metastases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two hundred and forty-three oral cavity and laryngopharyngeal carcinoma patients who underwent positron emission tomography computed tomography were included. Correlation between the positron emission tomography computed tomography standardised uptake value and various clinicopathological factors was analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A positive correlation was found between the standardised uptake value and the size and depth of tumour infiltration, and lymph node positivity. Higher standardised uptake values were seen for more advanced tumour stages. The presence of perineural invasion, lymphatic invasion and extracapsular spread were all associated with increased standardised uptake values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of the clinicopathological features of head and neck carcinoma which are well known to be poor prognostic factors have a significant impact on positron emission tomography computed tomography fluorodeoxyglucose standardised uptake value.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Arthur G James Cancer Hospital and Richard J Solove Research Institute, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ozer
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Naiboglu
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Karapinar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Agrawal
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Ozer
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Schuller
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000378:metabolism; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18