Positron emission tomography (PET) using 2-[¹⁸F]-fluoro-2-deoxy- d-glucose (FDG) has had a growing impact in neck oncology.<sup>8 Chisin R. Nuclear medicine in head and neck oncology: Reality and perspectives J Nucl Med 1999 ;  40 : 91-95

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti, 9 Davis J.P., Maisey N.M., Chevreton E.B. Positron emission tomography, a useful imaging technique for otolaryngology, head and neck surgery? J Laryngol Otol 1998 ;  112 : 125-127

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup> By neck oncology, the authors refer to the malignant diseases that affect the mucosa of the cervical aerodigestive tract and adnexal organs, such as the thyroid gland, salivary glands, and lymph nodes.

The neck is a region of complex anatomy where MR imaging, CT, and ultrasonography play a major role in the diagnosis and follow-up of cancer. The diagnostic criteria of those anatomic imaging techniques, however, depend exclusively on structural alterations and size criteria. Anatomic imaging encounters certain limitations in oncology, such as the assessment of the nodal status; the principal prognostic factor affecting survival of patients with head and neck cancer<sup>10 Farr H.W., Goldfarb P.M., Farr C.M. Epidermoid carcinoma of the mouth and pharynx at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: 1965 to 1969 Am J Surg 1980 ;  140 : 563-567  [cross-ref]

Cliccare qui per andare alla sezione Riferimenti</sup>; and in the posttherapy setting in general where the normal anatomy is distorted following surgery, radiotherapy, or chemotherapy.

FDG-PET imaging depends on the altered metabolic activity of the tumoral tissue, of which increased glycolysis is a hallmark. FDG, a glucose analogue, is trapped preferentially within tumor cells with increased glycolysis, allowing for their detection. As a metabolic imaging modality, FDG-PET can be expected to have a significant impact on the diagnosis and management of neck malignancies.

This article relates to the FDG-PET scan itself, including patient preparation and image acquisition and analysis; to normal patterns of FDG uptake in the head and neck; and to the main indications for FDG-PET in neck oncology.