Objectives: To elucidate the points that require attention when interpreting fluorine-18-labelled fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG)/positron emission tomography (PET) images by demonstration of 18F-FDG accumulation in various areas of the oral cavity other than primary lesions in patients with oral cancers.

 Methods: 18F-FDG accumulations with a maximal standardized uptake value of over 2.5 in various areas of the oral cavity other than primary lesions were identified in 82 patients with oral cancers.

  Results: 18F-FDG/PET-positive areas, excluding primary tumours, included the front intrinsic muscles of the tongue (89.0%), upper and lower marginal parts of the orbicularis oris muscle (64.6%), sublingual glands, palatine tonsil, pharyngeal tonsil, and lingual tonsil. In addition, some areas in the jaws also showed accumulation.

 Conclusions: In patients with oral cancers, areas of 18F-FDG accumulation in the oral cavity should be precisely identified and appropriately diagnosed, because accumulations can be seen in areas other than the primary tumour.

 Source: DentoMaxilloFacial Radiology

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