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Integrated PET-CT and PET-MR: Pitfalls and Applications in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

  • Conference paper
Diseases of the Brain, Head & Neck, Spine 2012–2015

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Abstract

The strengths and potential pitfalls of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomographic (FDG-PET) imaging in patients with head and neck cancer, especially those who have undergone surgery and/or chemotherapy and irradiation, is reviewed. PET is performed using the radiopharmaceutical [18F]-FDG, a D-glucose analog. The increased vascularity of tumors and glucose metabolism by malignant cells result in preferential uptake of FDG by tumor cells. The inability to process metabolites of the modified glucose molecule causes intracellular accumulation of 18F-containing radioisotopes. This metabolism has been invaluable in the evaluation of many cancer patients, and PET plays a pivotal role in the diagnosis, staging, and restaging of head and neck oncology patients. The ability to assess the functional status of tissue with FDG-PET has been remarkable and addresses this well-known limitation of conventional cross-sectional computed tomographic (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Neuroradiology Division, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Laurie A. Loevner

Authors
  1. Laurie A. Loevner
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Radiology, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland

    J. Hodler

  2. Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland

    G. K. von Schulthess

  3. Kilchberg/Zurich, Switzerland

    Ch. L. Zollikofer

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© 2012 Springer-Verlag Italia

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Loevner, L.A. (2012). Integrated PET-CT and PET-MR: Pitfalls and Applications in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma. In: Hodler, J., von Schulthess, G.K., Zollikofer, C.L. (eds) Diseases of the Brain, Head & Neck, Spine 2012–2015. Springer, Milano. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2628-5_34

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-88-470-2628-5_34

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Milano

  • Print ISBN: 978-88-470-2627-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-88-470-2628-5

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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