The Value of PET Compared to MRI in Malignant Head and Neck Tumors

Background: Reliable diagnosis plays an important role in the early detection of head and neck tumors. The objective of this study was to compare the value and clinical relevance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) regarding the assessment and the identification of head and neck tumors. Patients and Methods: From January 1, 2005, to January 1, 2007, 120 patients suffering from carcinomas of the oropharynx and larynx were examined by means of MRI and PET. Results: The difference between sensitivity and specificity of MRI and PET was not significant with regard to the diagnosis of primary tumors, recurrence, or cancer of unknown primary. A statistically significant difference between both methods only occurred for detectron of malignant lymph nodes of size >10 mm. Conclusion: In particular, the assessment of small tumors by MRI and PET is characterized by a high number of false-negative findings. The future of diagnostic imaging is likely to be a combination of both techniques, as a hybrid technique.