Detection of Lymph Node Métastasesof Squamous-Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck with FDG-PET and MRI

The uptake of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) in neck lymph nodes of twelve patients with a squamous-cell carcinoma of the oral cavity was studied with PET in order to detect and locate lymphogenic métastases.Methods: The results of FDG-PET imaging were compared with clinical, MRI and histopatho-logic findings. Standardized uptake values (SUV) were also cal culated. Results: A sensitivity of 91 % and a specificity of 88% were calculated for FDG-PET. In contrast, a sensitivity of 36% and a specificity of 94 % were calculated for MRI. Calculated SUVs for reactive lymph nodes, metastatic lymph nodes and the primary tumor were undifferentiated. Conclusion: Using FDG-PET, lymph node métastasesof squamous-cell carcinomas of the oral cavity can be visualized with a high sensitivity and specificity. FDG-PET can be an improvement in the evaluation of the neck. Key Words: PET; fluorodeoxyglucose;MRI; head and neck métastase