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Computer-Aided Three-Dimensional Visualization in the Treatment of Locally Advanced Thyroid Cancer
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Differentiation of benign from malignant cervical lymph nodes in patients with head and neck cancer using PET/CT
Seyedmehdi Payabvash1, Kaan Meric1, Zuzan Cayci1
1Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA.
Purpose:
To differentiate malignant from benign cervical lymph nodes in patients with head/neck cancer.
Methods:
In this retrospective study, 39 patients with primary head/neck cancer who underwent Positron Emission Tomography (PET)/Computerized Tomography (CT) and image-guided lymph node biopsy were included.
Results:
Overall, 23 (59%) patients had biopsy-proven malignant cervical lymphadenopathy. Malignant lymph nodes had higher maximum standardized uptake (SUV-max) value (P<.001) and short-axis diameter (P=.015) compared to benign nodes. An SUV-max of ≥2.5 was 100% sensitive, and an SUV-max ≥5.5 was 100% specific for malignant lymphadenopathy.
Conclusion:
The PET/CT SUV-max value can help with differentiation of malignant cervical lymph nodes in patients with head/neck cancer.
