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Updated: Feb 15, 2026

A Model for Perineural Invasion in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Published on: January 5, 2017
Clinical value of 18 FDG PET/CT in screening for distant metastases in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
S E Deurvorst1, O S Hoekstra2, J A Castelijns2
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Objectives:
The detection of distant metastases is of major importance in management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients.
Design:
All patients underwent 18 FDG PET/CT for the detection of distant metastases.
Setting:
Retrospective single-centre study.
Participants:
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients with high-risk factors for distant metastases.
Main Outcome Measures:
Accuracy of 18 FDG PET/CT for the detection of distant metastases using clinical development of distant metastases and a minimal follow-up of twelve months as reference standard. Comparison of overall survival between patients diagnosed with distant metastases during initial screening and patients diagnosed with distant metastases during follow-up.
Results:
In 23 (12%) of the 190 patients, 18 FDG PET/CT detected distant metastases at screening. Sensitivity and negative predictive value were 46.2% (95% CI 32.6-59.7) and 82.6% (95% CI 76.8-88.5). No difference in median overall survival from the time of distant metastases detection was found between patients diagnosed with DM during work-up or during follow-up.
Conclusions:
In head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients with high-risk factors, 18 FDG PET/CT has a high negative predictive value for the detection of distant metastases and should be used in daily clinical practice, although the sensitivity is limited when long-term follow-up is used as reference standard.
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