Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG-PET/CT compared to conventional imaging modalities (CIM) to detect recurrence of primary salivary gland cancers (SGCs).
Data sources: Review performed on December 26, 2024, using Embase, CINHAL, MEDLINE, and PubMed.
Review methods: Two blinded reviewers selected studies reporting diagnostic accuracy of PET/CT in identifying locoregional recurrence and/or metastasis in patients with SGCs. The analysis was performed adhering to PRISMA guidelines using R 4.3.3. Pooled analysis with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were analyzed.
Results: A total of 12 studies were retained from the systematic review, including 264 patients evaluated in the meta-analysis. For local recurrence, there was a pooled sensitivity of 0.86 (95% CI 0.73-0.93) and a pooled specificity of 0.95 (95% CI 0.92-0.97) for PET/CT, and a pooled sensitivity of 0.89 (95% CI 0.80-0.94) and a pooled specificity of 0.91 (95% CI 0.79-0.97) for CIM (p = 0.90). For regional metastasis, there was a pooled sensitivity of 0.90 (95% CI 0.73-0.97) and a pooled specificity of 0.96 (95% CI 0.92-0.98) for PET/CT, and a pooled sensitivity of 0.80 (95% CI 0.62-0.91) and a pooled specificity of 0.95 (0.90-0.98) for CIM (p = 0.26). For distant metastasis, there was a pooled sensitivity of 0.96 (95% CI 0.90-0.99) and a pooled specificity of 0.95 (95% CI 0.85-0.98) for PET/CT, and a pooled sensitivity of 0.80 (95% CI 0.71-0.86) and a pooled specificity of 0.97 (95% CI 0.87-0.99) for CIM (p = 0.018).
Conclusions: 18F-FDG-PET/CT imaging is accurate for the detection of SGC recurrence, particularly for the detection of regional and distant metastases.
Level of evidence: Not applicable Laryngoscope, 2025.