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01-01-2015 | Head and Neck

Incidental focal FDG uptake in the parotid glands on PET/CT in patients with head and neck malignancy

Authors: Young Lan Seo, Dae Young Yoon, Sora Baek, Kyoung Ja Lim, Eun Joo Yun, Young Kwon Cho, Woo Jin Bae, Eun Jae Chung, Kee Hwan Kwon

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 1/2015

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the prevalence and clinical significance of focal parotid lesions identified by ¹⁸ F- FDG PET/CT in patients with nonparotid head and neck malignancies.

Methods

From 3,638 PET/CT examinations using ¹⁸ F-FDG conducted on 1,342 patients with nonparotid head and neck malignancies, we retrospectively identified patients showing incidental focal FDG uptake in the parotid glands. The diagnosis of parotid lesions was confirmed histopathologically or on imaging follow-up. Patient demographics, clinical features, maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) on PET images, size and attenuation on corresponding contrast-enhanced CT images were assessed and correlated with the final diagnosis.

Results

The prevalence of incidental focal parotid FDG uptake on PET/CT was 2.1 % (95 % CI 1.4 – 3.0 %). Among 21 patients with focal parotid lesions confirmed histologically or on imaging follow-up, 7 (33.3 %) had malignant lesions (all metastases) and 14 (66.7 %) had benign lesions (four pleomorphic adenomas, two Warthin's tumours, one benign lymph node, one granulomatous lesion, six lesions without histopathological confirmation). There were no significant differences in age, sex, SUV_max or CT findings between patients with benign and those with malignant lesions.

Conclusion

Focal parotid FDG uptake on PET/CT in patients with head and neck malignancy warrants further investigations to ensure adequate therapy for incidental parotid lesions.

Key Points

• The prevalence of parotid incidentaloma on PET in head and neck malignancy was 2.1 %

• The malignancy rate of incidental focal parotid FDG uptake was 33.3 %

• SUV _max could not reliably differentiate malignant from benign incidental parotid lesions

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Title: Incidental focal FDG uptake in the parotid glands on PET/CT in patients with head and neck malignancy
Authors: Young Lan Seo
Dae Young Yoon
Sora Baek
Kyoung Ja Lim
Eun Joo Yun
Young Kwon Cho
Woo Jin Bae
Eun Jae Chung
Kee Hwan Kwon
Publication date: 01-01-2015
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 1/2015
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-014-3397-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Incidental focal FDG uptake in the parotid glands on PET/CT in patients with head and neck malignancy

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Key Points

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Key Points

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