Pearls and Pitfalls of 18FDG-PET Head and Neck Imaging

Randy Yeh; Ahmad Amer; Jason Michael Johnson; Daniel T Ginat

doi:10.1016/j.nic.2022.01.005

Pearls and Pitfalls of ¹⁸FDG-PET Head and Neck Imaging

Neuroimaging Clin N Am. 2022 May;32(2):287-298. doi: 10.1016/j.nic.2022.01.005.

Authors

Randy Yeh¹, Ahmad Amer², Jason Michael Johnson³, Daniel T Ginat⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, Molecular Imaging and Therapy Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
² Department of Neuroradiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, MSIII, Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, 1500 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
³ Department of Neuroradiology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1500 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
⁴ Department of Radiology, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. Electronic address: dtg1@uchicago.edu.

PMID: 35526957
DOI: 10.1016/j.nic.2022.01.005

Abstract

18FDG-PET plays an important role in cancer imaging. However, there are certain challenges with interpreting head and neck 18FDG-PET. In this article, examples of technical issues that can undermine the interpretation of the scans, normal physiologic activity that can mimic lesions or obscure lesions, and causes of false positives and false negatives on posttreatment cancer imaging are discussed. In addition, suggestions for addressing potential pitfalls on head and neck 18FDG-PET are highlighted.

Keywords: False negative; False positive; Head; Neck; PET.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
Head and Neck Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
Humans
Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
Radiopharmaceuticals

Substances

Radiopharmaceuticals
Fluorodeoxyglucose F18