Purpose: To differentiate malignant from benign cervical lymph nodes in patients with head/neck cancer.
Methods: In this retrospective study, 39 patients with primary head/neck cancer who underwent Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computerized Tomography (CT) and image-guided lymph node biopsy were included.
Results: Overall, 23 (59%) patients had biopsy-proven malignant cervical lymphadenopathy. Malignant lymph nodes had higher maximum standardized uptake (SUV-max) value (P<.001) and short-axis diameter (P=.015) compared to benign nodes. An SUV-max of ≥2.5 was 100% sensitive, and an SUV-max ≥5.5 was 100% specific for malignant lymphadenopathy.
Conclusion: The PET/CT SUV-max value can help with differentiation of malignant cervical lymph nodes in patients with head/neck cancer.
Keywords: CT; Lymphadenopathy; Maximum standardized uptake value; Neck cancer; Positron emission tomography.
Published by Elsevier Inc.