Special Techniques in PET/Computed Tomography Imaging for Evaluation of Head and Neck Cancer

• Published in: PET clinics Vol. 11; no. 1; pp. 13 - 20
• Main Authors: Kumar, Rakesh, MD, PhD, Mukherjee, Anirban, MD, Mittal, Bhagwant Rai, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-01-2016
• Subjects: 18F-FDG PET/CT; Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - pharmacology; Benzodiazepines - pharmacology; Female; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 - pharmacokinetics; Head and neck cancer; Head and Neck Neoplasms - diagnosis; Humans; Male; Multimodal Imaging - methods; Open mouth; Pharmacologic intervention; Phonation - physiology; Positron-Emission Tomography - methods; Puff cheek; Radiology; Radiopharmaceuticals - pharmacokinetics; Special techniques; Tomography, X-Ray Computed - methods; Valsalva Maneuver - physiology; Whole Body Imaging - methods; 18F-FDG PET/CT; Head and neck cancer; Special techniques; Open mouth; Puff cheek; Pharmacologic intervention; F-FDG PET/CT
• ISSN: 1556-8598; 1879-9809
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cpet.2015.07.006

PET with fluorodeoxyglucose F 18 (FDG)/computed tomography (CT) imaging has significantly improved the management of head and neck cancer. FDG, however, is not tumor-specific and various image interpretation pitfalls may occur because of false-positive and -negative causes of FDG uptake. Routine imaging examination of head and neck malignancies does not yield all of the necessary data, even with the most advanced imaging technique. Specific interventions, such as use of different dynamic maneuvers and pharmacologic interventions, may provide useful information about the lesion. This article reviews the use of special techniques in FDG PET/CT imaging and whole-body FDG PET/CT imaging for evaluation of head and neck cancer.