Characteristics and Limitations of FDG PET/CT for Imaging of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: A Comprehensive Review of Anatomy, Metastatic Pathways, and Image Findings.
OBJECTIVE
This image-based article illustrates the anatomic regions of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck and describes the metastatic pathways in and TNM staging for each region. Both the role and limitations of FDG PET/CT in imaging such cancers are discussed, and cases exemplifying these issues are reported. Also included is a discussion of the use of FDG PET/CT to monitor the response of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck to therapy, in addition to a brief comparison of PET/CT with such traditional imaging modalities as CT, MRI, and ultrasound.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding the characteristics of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, as imaged by FDG PET/CT, is crucial for determining treatment strategy, because it helps to avoid incorrect staging and also provides an accurate assessment of treatment response.
1 Nuclear Medicine Department, Bay Pines Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd, Second Fl, Rm 2C-120, Bay Pines, FL 33744.
Nicholas A
NA
Plaxton
2 Nuclear Medicine Department, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA.
David C
DC
Brandon
3 Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA.
Amanda S
AS
Corey
4 Clinical Radiologists SC, Springfield, IL.
Chester E
CE
Harrison
3 Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA.
A Tuba
AT
Karagulle Kendi
3 Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Emory University Hospital, Atlanta, GA.
Raghuveer K
RK
Halkar
2 Nuclear Medicine Department, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Decatur, GA.
Bruce J
BJ
Barron
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D064847:Multimodal Imaging; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
FDG PET/CT; TNM staging; head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; metastatic pathways; treatment response