FDG-PET Imaging of Salivary Gland Tumors

Semin Ultrasound CT MR. 2019 Oct;40(5):391-399. doi: 10.1053/j.sult.2019.07.003. Epub 2019 Jul 16.

Abstract

The salivary glands are host to a variety of benign and malignant tumors, as well as tumor-like conditions. Due to the variable FDG avidity of these lesions on positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, as well as the complex embryology and physiology that affect normal FDG uptake, FDG PET imaging of salivary gland pathology can prove challenging for head and neck imagers. We provide a practical guide for PET imaging of salivary gland tumors, detailing important additional diagnostic considerations, such as perineural tumor spread and intraparotid nodal metastases that are unique subsets related to salivary gland malignancy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Salivary Gland Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Salivary Glands / diagnostic imaging

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18