Diagnostic role of (18)F-FDG-PET or PET/CT in salivary gland tumors: A systematic review.
Salivary gland tumors are rare neoplasms that have not been extensively studied with (18)F-FDG-PET- or PET/CT up to now. This review aims to evaluate the diagnostic performance of PET in this particular setting, analyzing the available literature. A comprehensive literature search in the PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase and Scopus databases was performed including articles up to November 2014, resulting in the selection of 22 articles. The studies selected suggest that: (1) PET is not useful in discriminating benign from malignant SGTs because of the overlap of uptake in both conditions; (2) PET not only is complementary to conventional imaging techniques for the staging and restaging but in some cases could also be superior to them; (3) PET may often have a highly positive impact on clinical decision making. Despite many limitations affecting the analysis, PET seems to be useful in SGTs. However, more extensive studies and cost-effectiveness analyses are desirable to determine its correct position in the diagnostic flow chart.
F
F
Bertagna
P
P
Nicolai
R
R
Maroldi
D
D
Mattavelli
M
M
Bertoli
R
R
Giubbini
D
D
Lombardi
G
G
Treglia
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D009367:Neoplasm Staging / Q000379:methods; D000072078:Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011379:Prognosis; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012466:Salivary Gland Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology
D005462:Fluorine Radioisotopes; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18