Predictors of pathologic outcome of focal FDG uptake in the parotid gland identified on whole-body FDG PET imaging

Clin Imaging. 2015 Nov-Dec;39(6):1073-9. doi: 10.1016/j.clinimag.2015.07.005. Epub 2015 Jul 16.

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose was to test whether patient's primary malignancy type and presence of F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-avid cervical lymph node(s) are predictors of pathologic outcome of incidental focal FDG-avid parotid lesions.

Basic procedures: A retrospective cohort study of pathologically proven incidental cases was performed.

Main findings: Focal parotid FDG uptake in the setting of head and neck cancer/melanoma [odds ratio (OR)=24.6, P<.01], lymphoma (OR=7.2, P=.02), or FDG-avid cervical lymph node(s) (OR=3.6, P=.07) has a higher odds of representing metastases. No malignant primary parotid tumors were incidentally discovered.

Principal conclusions: In patients with head and neck cancer/melanoma, lymphoma, or FDG-avid cervical lymph node(s), there were higher odds that focal parotid FDG uptake was a metastasis.

Keywords: 18F-FDG; FDG-PET; PET; PET/CT; Parotid.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / diagnostic imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parotid Gland / diagnostic imaging*
  • Parotid Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Whole Body Imaging
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18