Document Detail


Comparison of positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging and ultrasound in staging and surveillance of head and neck and thyroid cancer.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19688854     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Positron emission tomography (PET) combined with cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) is increasingly used for staging and surveillance of cancers in the head and neck region. Ultrasonography (US) is an alternative imaging technique that provides diagnostic information while enabling simultaneous image-guided biopsies. A comparison of these diagnostic modalities in cancer detection is warranted. METHODS: All patients with malignant neoplasms in the head and neck region who were evaluated by both PET/CT and US were reviewed. Diagnostic accuracy rates of PET/CT and US were determined according to whether cytologically or histologically confirmed cancer was present in US-guided fine-needle biopsy or surgical specimens. RESULTS: From October 2004 to December 2007, 42 patients with an ultimately confirmed tissue diagnosis of a head and neck malignancy underwent both neck US and PET/CT. The sensitivity and specificity of US in predicting malignancy in the head and neck was 96.8% and 93.3%, respectively, in those 42 individuals. The positive predictive value (PPV) was 96% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 93%. In comparison, PET/CT in this group demonstrated a sensitivity of 90.3%, specificity 20%, PPV 70%, and NPV 50%. CONCLUSIONS: PET/CT and US, especially when combined with US-guided fine-needle biopsy, are complementary tools in the detection of cancers of the head and neck. The highly sensitive and specific nature of US, combined with its low cost, low morbidity, availability as an in-office examination, and ability to guide biopsies, warrant consideration of its routine use in the management of head and neck and thyroid cancer patients.
Authors:
Harry S Hwang; Daniel A Perez; Lisa A Orloff
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  The Laryngoscope     Volume:  119     ISSN:  1531-4995     ISO Abbreviation:  Laryngoscope     Publication Date:  2009 Oct 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2009-09-28     Completed Date:  2009-10-22     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  8607378     Medline TA:  Laryngoscope     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  1958-65     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California-San Francisco, 2233 Post Street, San Francisco, CA 94115, U.S.A.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Biopsy, Fine-Needle
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis*,  radiography,  radionuclide imaging,  ultrasonography
Diagnostic Imaging*
Female
Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis*,  radiography,  radionuclide imaging,  ultrasonography
Humans
Male
Positron-Emission Tomography*
Retrospective Studies
Sensitivity and Specificity
Thyroid Neoplasms / diagnosis*,  radiography,  radionuclide imaging,  ultrasonography

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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