Diagnosis of Bilateral Tonsil Cancers via Staging PET/CT: Case Report and Review. (14th July 2011)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mannina, Edward M.; Pejavar, Sunanda M.; Glastonbury, Christine M.; van Zante, Annemieke; Wang, Steven J.; Yom, Sue S.
• Other Names: Saeed Shakeel Riaz Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: International journal of otolaryngology. Volume 2011(2011)
• Publication Date: 2011-07-14
• Subjects: Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases; Otolaryngology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1155/2011/928240
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-9201

Abstract

Abstract : Diagnostic workup of metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary site has traditionally included CT and/or MRI imaging and endoscopic biopsies. Routine bilateral tonsillectomy is highly controversial and the role of PET/CT is evolving, both for identification of potential primary sites and the detection of distant metastases. We report a case of cervical nodal metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma from an unknown primary site, in which dual-modality PET/CT led to the unexpected diagnosis of synchronous bilateral tonsillar cancers. In addition, PET/CT correctly distinguished pulmonary sarcoidosis from metastatic disease in this patient.