Evaluation of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography with histopathologic correlation in the initial staging of head and neck cancer

Abstract

Objective: To prospectively evaluate the use of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in the initial staging of squamous cell head and neck carcinoma. Summary Background Data: The status of cervical lymph nodes is an important prognostic factor and determinant of management approach in squamous cell head and neck cancer. Methods: FDG-PET findings were compared with those of computed tomography (CT) before removal of the primary tumor and/or neck dissection. Histopathologic analysis was used as the gold standard for assessment of the sensitivity and specificity of these modalities. Results: FDG-PET correctly identified the primary tumor in 35 of 40 patients in whom the..