Diagnostic value of 123I-IMT SPECT in the follow-up of head and neck cancer.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Nuclear medicine imaging is increasingly used in the evaluation of tumors of the head and neck. In the current study, we assess the value of single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) using the amino acid tracer L-3-[123I]iodine-alpha-methyl-tyrosine (IMT) for the detection of recurrent head and neck cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

45 consecutive patients with suspected recurrence of previously treated head and neck cancer were examined by IMT-SPECT using a dual head system with integrated low-dose computed tomography (CT). The accuracy of the IMT-SPECT was evaluated by correlating the findings with results of histology or clinical and CT/MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) follow-up examinations.

RESULTS:

The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of IMT-SPECT in the detection of recurrent/persistent tumors were 83, 89 and 84.5%, respectively. The positive and negative predictive value amounted to 96.5 and 60%, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

IMT-SPECT using integrated low-dose CT appears to be a helpful complementary imaging tool for the detection of local recurrences and lymph node metastases of head and neck cancer and their differentiation from treatment-induced changes. The advantage of the method is the high positive predictive value in the diagnosis of relapsed tumors. However, a negative IMT-SPECT result does not exclude a recurrence.

• Authors: Michail Plotkin, Reinhard Wurm, David Kuczer, Peter Wust, Roger Michel, Timm Denecke, Juri Ruf, Lorenz Schlenger, Annet Bischoff, Roland Felix, Holger Amthauer
• Journal: Onkologie (Onkologie) Vol. 29 Issue 4 Pg. 147-52 (Apr 2006) ISSN: 0378-584X [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 16601370 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Methyltyrosines
• Radiopharmaceuticals
• 3-iodo-alpha-methyltyrosine

Topics

• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Methyltyrosines
• Neoplasm Recurrence, Local (diagnostic imaging, prevention & control)
• Prognosis
• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Reproducibility of Results
• Sensitivity and Specificity
• Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon (methods)
• Treatment Outcome