18F-FDG PET and CT/MRI in Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Prospective Study of 124 Patients with Histologic Correlation

Accurate evaluation of primary tumors and cervical lymph node status of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the oral cavity is important to treatment planning and prognosis prediction. In this prospective study, we evaluated the use of 18F-FDG PET, CT/MRI, and their visual correlation for the identification of primary tumors and cervical nodal metastases of SCC of the oral cavity with histologic correlation. Methods: One hundred twenty-four patients with pathologically proven diagnoses of oral cavity SCC underwent 18F-FDG PET and CT/MRI within 2 wk before surgery. We interpreted 18F-FDG PET, CT/MRI, and visually correlated 18F-FDG PET and CT/MRI separately to as-sess the primary tumors and their regional lymph node status. We recorded lymph node metastases according to the neck level system of imaging-based nodal classification. Histopatho-logic analysis was used as the gold standard for assessment o