Clinical significance of FDG single-photon emission computed tomography: Computed tomography in the diagnosis of head and neck cancers and study of its mechanism.

Background: The metabolic changes of malignant cells are earlier than these of morphology. (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)-computed tomography (CT) systems provide functional and anatomic images that could significantly improve its diagnostic capability. The molecular mechanisms of increased FDG uptake are still not fully understood.

[Value of 18F-FDG metabolic imaging in diagnosis and treatment of head and neck tumors and its mechanism study].

Objective: To study the value of (18)F-FDG dual-head tomography with coincidence (DHTC) and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) coincidence imaging in diagnosis and treatment of head and neck tumors and mechanism thereof and analyze the value of glucose transporter proteins in the mechanism of increased uptake glucose of head and neck malignant tumor.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with head and neck tumors were examined by CT or MRI and underwent (18)F-FDG DHTC and coincidence imaging. The results of these 2 different methods were compared.