Head and Neck Cancer: Clinical Usefulness and Accuracy of PET/CT Image Fusion

Abstract
PURPOSE: To compare diagnostic accuracy of attenuation-corrected positron emission tomography (PET) with fused PET and computed tomography (CT) in patients with head and neck cancer and to evaluate the effect of PET/CT findings on patient care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Studies of 68 patients were reviewed by two physicians in consensus. Focal fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the head and neck on attenuation-corrected PET images was graded as benign, equivocal, or malignant. CT and PET/CT images were then reviewed, and initial findings were amended if necessary. Comparison was performed on a lesion-by-lesion basis. Accuracy was evaluated on the basis of follow-up and histopathologic findings. Potential effects on patient care were assessed by a head and neck surgeon. PET and PET/CT accuracy was compared with a McNemar test adjusted for clustering. RESULTS: A total of 157 foci with abnormal FDG uptake were noted, two of which were seen only on PET/CT images. PET/CT images were essential in determining the e...

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