[Molecular imaging of head and neck cancers : Perspectives of PET/MRI].
BACKGROUND
The (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography ((18)F-FDG-PET/CT) procedure is a cornerstone in the diagnostics of head and neck cancers. Several years ago PET-magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) also became available as an alternative hybrid multimodal imaging method.


OBJECTIVE
Does PET/MRI have advantages over PET/CT in the diagnostics of head and neck cancers?


METHODS
The diagnostic accuracy of the standard imaging methods CT, MRI and PET/CT is depicted according to currently available meta-analyses and studies concerning the use of PET/MRI for these indications are summarized.


RESULTS
In all studies published up to now PET/MRI did not show superiority regarding the diagnostic accuracy in head and neck cancers; however, there is some evidence that in the future PET/MRI can contribute to tumor characterization and possibly be used to predict tumor response to therapy with the use of multiparametric imaging.


CONCLUSIONS
Currently, (18)F-FDG-PET/CT is not outperformed by PET/MRI in the diagnostics of head and neck cancers. The additive value of PET/MRI due to the use of multiparametric imaging needs to be investigated in future research.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig AöR, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland. patrick.stumpp@medizin.uni-leipzig.de.
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Stumpp
Klinik und Poliklinik für Nuklearmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland.
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S
Purz
Klinik und Poliklinik für Nuklearmedizin, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig, Leipzig, Deutschland.
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Sabri
Klinik und Poliklinik für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Leipzig AöR, Liebigstrasse 20, 04103, Leipzig, Deutschland.
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T
Kahn
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D057054:Molecular Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D064847:Multimodal Imaging / Q000379:methods; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals
Meta-analyses; Multimodal imaging; Multiparametric diagnostics; Therapy response; Tumor characterization