Contrast-enhanced 18F-FDG-PET/CT for the assessment of necrotic lymph node metastases

Background. Cystic lymph node metastasis (CLNM) is commonly found in human papillomavirus (HPV)‐associated tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy in detecting cystic lymph node metastasis from tonsillar SCC between contrast‐enhanced CT, 18F‐ fluoro...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Head & neck 2011-03, Vol.33 (3), p.324-329
Main Authors: Haerle, Stephan K., Strobel, Klaus, Ahmad, Nader, Soltermann, Alex, Schmid, Daniel T., Stoeckli, Sandro J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - diagnostic imaging
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - secondary
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - surgery
Cohort Studies
Dermatology
Female
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases
Humans
Leukemias. Malignant lymphomas. Malignant reticulosis. Myelofibrosis
Lymph Nodes - diagnostic imaging
Lymph Nodes - pathology
Lymphatic Metastasis
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
neck staging
Necrosis - pathology
Neoplasm Staging - methods
Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology
positron emission tomography
Positron-Emission Tomography - methods
Preoperative Care - methods
Prognosis
Radiographic Image Enhancement
Retrospective Studies
squamous cell carcinoma
Survival Analysis
Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods
tonsil cancer
Tonsillar Neoplasms - diagnostic imaging
Tonsillar Neoplasms - pathology
Tonsillar Neoplasms - surgery
Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Background. Cystic lymph node metastasis (CLNM) is commonly found in human papillomavirus (HPV)‐associated tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy in detecting cystic lymph node metastasis from tonsillar SCC between contrast‐enhanced CT, 18F‐ fluorodeoxyglucose‐positron emission tomography (FDG‐PET), non‐enhanced 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT, and contrast‐enhanced 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT. Methods. Thirty‐four patients with a tonsillar SCC undergoing a pretreatment contrast‐enhanced 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT followed by a neck dissection as a standard of reference were included. The contrast‐enhanced CT part, the 18F‐FDG‐PET part, the non‐enhanced 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT part, and the contrast‐enhanced 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT were assessed separately for correct N classification and the differentiation of N0 versus N+. Results. Contrast‐enhanced 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT, non‐enhanced 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT, and contrast‐enhanced CT are equally accurate for correct neck staging. Regarding pN0 versus pN+, contrast‐enhanced CT and contrast‐enhanced 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT are superior to non‐enhanced 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT (p = .017). Conclusion. Contrast‐enhanced CT and contrast‐enhanced 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT perform equally and better than non‐enhanced 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT in detecting CLNM in tonsillar SCC. Therefore, in patients scheduled for 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT, we strongly suggest performing a contrast‐enhanced 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT, which is not routine in most centers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2010
ISSN:1043-3074
1097-0347
DOI:10.1002/hed.21447