HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Figures Only Full Text Full Text (PDF) CME Test (opens in a new window) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Blodgett, T. M. Articles by Meltzer, C. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Blodgett, T. M. Articles by Meltzer, C. C. Related Collections Neuroradiology Nuclear Medicine Head and Neck Related Article

Combined PET-CT in the Head and Neck

Part 1. Physiologic, Altered Physiologic, and Artifactual FDG Uptake¹

¹ From the Departments of Radiology (T.M.B., B.F.B., B.M.M., D.W.T., C.C.M.), Otolaryngology (C.H.S., B.F.B.), Psychiatry (C.C.M.), and Neurology (C.C.M.), University of Pittsburgh, 200 Lothrop St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213; and the Department of Radiology, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pa (M.B.F.). Presented as an education exhibit at the 2001 RSNA Annual Meeting. Received June 26, 2003; revision requested October 22; final revision received October 25, 2004; accepted November 3. T.M.B. is a consultant for Petnet Pharmaceuticals; D.W.T. is a consultant for CPS Innovations; all remaining authors have no financial relationships to disclose. Address correspondence to T.M.B. (e-mail: Blodgetttm{at}msx.upmc.edu).

Positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) has been effective for the diagnosis, staging, and restaging of malignancies of the head and neck region. However, lack of anatomic landmarks, variable physiologic uptake, and asymmetric FDG distribution in several altered physiologic states can confound image interpretation. In addition, many benign causes and several artifacts can simulate physiologic or pathologic FDG uptake in the head and neck. Combined PET–computed tomography (CT) is a unique imaging modality that permits anatomic and functional imaging on a single scanner with nearly perfect coregistration. Combined PET-CT provides information that cannot be obtained with PET or CT alone. In particular, PET-CT facilitates the interpretation of FDG uptake in the head and neck, an area that is characterized by dense and complex anatomic structures. An atlas of FDG uptake in this anatomic region was compiled on the basis of combined PET-CT findings in 11,000 patients. In general, patterns of FDG uptake were variable and often reflected patient activity during or immediately preceding the uptake phase. With the growing interest in PET-CT, interpreting radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians must be familiar with the patterns of FDG uptake in the head and neck to avoid misinterpretation or mis-diagnosis.

© RSNA, 2005

Related Article

Combined PET-CT in the Head and Neck: Part 2. Diagnostic Uses and Pitfalls of Oncologic Imaging

Melanie B. Fukui, Todd M. Blodgett, Carl H. Snyderman, Jonas J. Johnson, Eugene N. Myers, Dave W. Townsend, and Carolyn C. Meltzer
RadioGraphics 2005 25: 913-930. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. M. Blodgett, C. C. Meltzer, and D. W. Townsend PET/CT: Form and Function Radiology, February 1, 2007; 242(2): 360 - 385. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. F. Branstetter IV Physiologic 18F-FDG uptake in the serratus anterior muscle: a potential false-positive on PET resolved with PET/CT. Am. J. Roentgenol., August 1, 2006; 187(2): W235 - W235. [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. B. Fukui, T. M. Blodgett, C. H. Snyderman, J. J. Johnson, E. N. Myers, D. W. Townsend, and C. C. Meltzer Combined PET-CT in the Head and Neck: Part 2. Diagnostic Uses and Pitfalls of Oncologic Imaging RadioGraphics, July 1, 2005; 25(4): 913 - 930. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]