In-line 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) in patients with carcinoma of the sinus/nasal area and orbit

Background: Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are the standard imaging techniques to evaluate patients with carcinoma in the sinus/nasal area and orbit. The use of positron emission tomography (PET) with F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) in such patients is as yet less well established. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical impact of PET co-registered with CT (PET/CT). Patients: Evaluation of 21 consecutive patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the whole body PET/CT studies was done. Images were assessed visually without knowing the results of the other imaging technique. Histology and clinical follow-up served to verify lesions. The clinical impact on therapy was assessed together with the physician in charge. Results: All patients underwent PET/CT and CT or MRI for staging (n = 9 scans) and restaging (n = 17 scans) without treatment between the examinations. PET/CT changed the treatment protocol in 2 patients at staging and in 7 at re-staging. Distant metastases were found in 5 and a secondary tumour in I patient. Conclusions: Whole body PET/CT adds clinically important information to CT or MRI, thus, influencing treatment. (c) 2005 European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery.