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Related Experiment Videos

Normal FDG distribution patterns in the head and neck: PET/CT evaluation.

Yuji Nakamoto1, Mitsuaki Tatsumi, Dima Hammoud

  • 1Division of Nuclear Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, 601 N Caroline St, Rm 3223A, Baltimore, MD 21287-0817, USA.

Radiology
|March 1, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) reveals that fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) concentrates most in the palatine and lingual tonsils and soft palate in normal head and neck regions.

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Area of Science:

  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Radiology
  • Head and Neck Imaging

Background:

  • Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) is a crucial imaging modality.
  • Understanding normal fluorine 18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) distribution is essential for accurate interpretation of PET/CT scans in the head and neck region.
  • Physiologic FDG uptake can mimic pathology if not properly characterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To retrospectively evaluate the distribution and intensity of FDG uptake in normal head and neck structures using PET/CT.
  • To establish a baseline for normal FDG accumulation in various head and neck tissues.
  • To identify specific structures with high, low, or variable physiologic FDG uptake.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of PET/CT scans from 78 patients without head and neck cancer.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Visual and quantitative assessment of FDG accumulation in 11 normal head and neck structures.
  • Calculation of Standardized Uptake Values (SUVs) and Positive Rate Percentage (PRP).
  • Statistical analysis including unpaired t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficients to compare SUVs and assess age-related uptake.

    • Main Results:

    • Intense FDG uptake was observed in palatine tonsils (98% PRP, 3.48 SUV), soft palate (96% PRP, 3.13 SUV), and lingual tonsils (96% PRP, 3.11 SUV).
    • Minimal uptake was noted in the inferior concha, thyroid gland, and tongue.
    • Variable uptake was seen in sublingual glands, spinal cord, submandibular glands, parotid glands, and vocal cords.
    • Higher mean SUV in the soft palate for males vs. females (P <.01).
    • Negative correlation between age and FDG uptake in palatine tonsils (r=-0.51) and sublingual glands (r=-0.70).

    Conclusions:

    • Palatine tonsils, lingual tonsils, and soft palate demonstrate intense physiologic FDG uptake on PET/CT.
    • Major salivary glands exhibit variable FDG uptake.
    • These findings provide reference values for normal FDG distribution in the head and neck, aiding in differentiating from neoplastic lesions.