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01-03-2016 | Original Article

[¹⁸F]-FDG PET/CT imaging for detection of nodal metastases in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx and larynx: comparison with CT

Authors: Yuko Suenaga, Kazuhiro Kitajima, Tomonori Kanda, Naoki Otsuki, Ken-ichi Nibu, Ryohei Sasaki, Tomoo Itoh, Kazuro Sugimura

Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology | Issue 3/2016

Abstract

Purpose

Our aim was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of fluorine-18-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) relative to CT for detecting neck lymph node metastases in patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the hypopharynx, oropharynx, and larynx.

Methods

Thirty-four patients with SCC of the hypopharynx (n = 20), oropharynx (n = 5), and larynx (n = 9) who underwent neck dissection (29 bilateral, 5 unilateral; a total of 355 nodal levels) were assessed. Two observers determined the long-axis diameter and maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) of all visible neck nodes. Results of FDG-PET/CT were compared with those of corresponding histopathologic examinations according to the neck-level system.

Results

Histopathology revealed metastases in 70 of 355 nodal levels. Using a best discriminative SUV_max cutoff of 3.65, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of FDG-PET/CT on a level-by-level basis were 72.9, 96.8, and 92.1 %; those for CT were 52.9, 98.6, and 89.6 %. Differences in sensitivity and accuracy were significant (p < 0.01). The best cutoff SUV_max on the ipsilateral side was 4.61, with corresponding figures of 81.6, 100, and 94.7 %; that on the contralateral side was 2.41, with figures of 60, 88.4, and 85.4 %.

Conclusion

FDG-PET/CT with SUV_max is useful for preoperative evaluation of neck-node metastasis from SCC of the pharynx and larynx, especially on the ipsilateral side.

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Title: [18F]-FDG PET/CT imaging for detection of nodal metastases in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx and larynx: comparison with CT
Authors: Yuko Suenaga
Kazuhiro Kitajima
Tomonori Kanda
Naoki Otsuki
Ken-ichi Nibu
Ryohei Sasaki
Tomoo Itoh
Kazuro Sugimura
Publication date: 01-03-2016
Publisher: Springer Japan
Published in: Japanese Journal of Radiology / Issue 3/2016
Print ISSN: 1867-1071
Electronic ISSN: 1867-108X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11604-015-0510-6

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[¹⁸F]-FDG PET/CT imaging for detection of nodal metastases in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the pharynx and larynx: comparison with CT

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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Acknowledgment

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