Accuracy of 18F‐FDG‐PET/CT for staging of oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Background. This study prospectively assessed 2‐[F18]‐fluoro‐2‐deoxy‐ D ‐glucose–positron emission tomography (18F‐FDG‐PET)/CT (PET/CT) in oral squamous cell carcinoma. Methods. Twenty‐three patients completed preoperative TNM staging (CT, MR, whole‐body fusion imaging PET/CT). In patients who underwent surgical therapy (19 of 23), TNM staging based on PET/CT scan was compared with pTNM. Results. PET/CT correctly staged 16 of 19 primary tumors (accuracy 84.2%, sensitivity 84.2%, positive predictive value 100%) and correctly ruled out bone invasion in 3 patients with false‐positive results according to CT and/or MR. PET/CT incorrectly identified neck involvement in 5 of 15 patients (3 false positives, 2 false negatives) who underwent neck dissection (accuracy 66.7%, specificity 76.9%, negative predictive value 83.3%). False‐negative cases showed a nodal size not exceeding 10 mm. One patient with a bronchial synchronous primary tumor was identified. Conclusion. PET/CT scan showed good accuracy in determining the extension and/or depth of invasion of the primary tumor. Nevertheless, PET/CT was not accurate to rule out nodal metastases. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck, 2008