Positron Emission Tomography(PET) is a new diagnostic method that can create functional images of the distribution of positron emitting radionuclides, which when administered intravenously in the body, makes possible anatomical and functional
analysis
by quantity of biochemical and physiological process. After genetic and biochemical changes in initial stage, malignant tumor undergoes functional changes before undergoing anatomical changes. So, early diagnosis of malignant tumors by functional
analysis with PET can be achieved, replacing traditional anatomical analysis, such as computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance image(MRI), etc. Similarly, PET can identify malignant tumor without confusion with scar and fibrosis in follow
up
check.
In the Korea Cancer Center Hospital(KCCH) from October 1997 to September 1999, clinical study was performed in 79 cases that underwent 89 times PET evaluation with [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose for diagnosis of oral and maxillofacial
tumors,
and
the data was analysed by Bayesian 2×2 Classification Table.
The results were as follows:
Evaluation for initial diagnosis with FDG-PET (P<0.005)
1. Agreement rate or accuracy rate is 88.9%.
2. Sensitivity is 95.2%, and specificity 66.7%.
3. Positive predictive rate is 90.9%, and negative predictive rate 80.0%.
4. In consideration of tumor stage, diagnostic rate in less than stage Ⅱ was 90% and in greater than stage Ⅲ 100%.
5. In consideration of tumor size, diagnostic rate in less than T2 was 92.3% and in greater than T3 100%.
After primary treatment, evaluation for follow up check with FDG-PET (P<0.001)
1. Agreement rate or accuracy rate is 85.4%.
2. Sensitivity is 87.5%, and specificity 82.4%.
3. Positive predictive rate is 87.5%, and negative predictive rate 82.4%.
4. In 24 recurred cases, 6 had distant metastasis, and 5 of them were diagnosed with FDG-PET, resulting in diagnostic rate of FDG-PET of 83.3%.
From the above results, Positron Emission Tomography with [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose appears to be more sensitive and accurate for detecting the presence of oral and maxillofacial tumors, and has various clinical applications such as
early
diagnosis of tumor in initial and follow up check and detection of distant metastasis.
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