The role of PET/CT for detection of distant metastases in malignant epitelial head and neck cancer

Abstract

The aim of our study was to investigate the role of 18F-FDG PET/CT for detection of distant metastases from malignant epitelial head and neck cancer. Methods We analized 205 patients who underwent PET/CT in our clinic for pretreatment staging, restaging between 2015-2017. Patients with positive findings of PET/CT underwent further imaging or biopsy. Results Of the 205 patients and 308 PET/CT exams (166 men and 39 women), 18 had distant metastases. There was 1 false positive result, 186 true negative and no false negative results. PET/CT had a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 99.4%, PPV of 94.7%, NPV of 100% and accuracy of 99.5%. Conclusion PET/CT is a useful screening imaging tool for detection of distant metastases in patients with malignant epitelial head and neck cancer.