Differentiation of benign from malignant cervical lymph nodes in patients with head and neck cancer using PET/CT imaging

Clin Imaging. 2016 Jan-Feb;40(1):101-5. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2015.09.001. Epub 2015 Sep 4.

Abstract

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.

MeSH terms

  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Image-Guided Biopsy
  • Lymph Nodes / diagnostic imaging*
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Lymphatic Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multimodal Imaging
  • Neck
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18