Introduction: There is growing interest in the development and application of standardized imaging criteria (SIC), to minimize variability and improve the reproducibility of image interpretation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
Methods: "Squamous cell carcinoma" AND "standardized interpretation criteria" OR "radiographic response assessment" were searched using PubMed and Google Scholar for articles published between 2009 and 2024, returning 56 publications. After abstract review, 18 were selected for further evaluation, and 6 different SICs (i.e., PERCIST, Porceddu, Hopkins, NI-RADS, modified Deauville, and Cuneo) were included in this review. Each SIC is evaluated in the context of 8 desired traits of a standardized reporting system.
Results: Two SICs have societal endorsements (i.e., PERCIST, NI-RADS); four can be used in the evaluation of locoregional and systemic disease (i.e., PERCIST, Hopkins, NI-RADS, Cuneo), and four have specific categories for equivocal imaging results (i.e., Porceddu, NI-RADS, modified Deauville, and Cuneo). All demonstrated areas for future improvement in the context of the 8 desired traits.
Conclusion: Multiple SICs have been developed for and demonstrated value in HNSCC post-treatment imaging; however, these systems remain underutilized. Selecting an SIC with features that best match the needs of one's practice is expected to maximize the likelihood of successful implementation.
Keywords: Cuneo; Hopkins; MeSH; NI-RADS; Porceddu; fluorodeoxyglucose F18; modified Deauville; positron emission tomography response criteria in solid tumors; positron emission tomography-computed tomography; radiographic image interpretation; response evaluation criteria in solid tumors; squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; standardized interpretation criteria.