Clinical evaluation of Ga-67 SPECT in otolaryngological carcinoma with high resolution three-headed SPECT imaging device

Ga-67 scintigraphy has been generally considered to be of no clinical value in the diagnosis of head and neck tumors. However, this conclusion has been based on the classical data with rectilinear scanners in 1970's. There were few report of Ga-67 SPECT, and the purpose of this study is to investigate whether Ga-67 SPECT is useful or not in their diagnosis. We have examined 28 biopsy proven head and neck squamous cell carcinoma with Ga-67 planar scintigraphy (Toshiba GCA901A) and SPECT (Siemens MultiSPECT3). Detection of primary tumors with planar imaging and SPECT were 7/28 (25%), and 24/28 (85.7%) respectively. Detection rate of regional lymphnode metastasis with planar imaging and SPECT were 0/12 (0%), and 6/12 (50%) respectively. In head and neck region where the anatomy is complex, Ga-67 SPECT imaging is useful in the diagnosis of otolaryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. (author)