(18)FDG-PET/CT for detecting distant metastases and second primary cancers in patients with head and neck cancer. A meta-analysis.

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the role of (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)FDG-PET/CT) in detecting distant metastases and second primary cancers in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) at staging. Studies about (18)FDG-PET/CT for detecting distant metastases and second primary cancers in patients with HNC were systematically searched in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and EBM Review databases from January 1, 2000 to March 1, 2011. A software called "Meta-DiSc" was used to obtain pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratios, summary receiver operating characteristic curves, and Q* index.