PET+MR versus PET/CT in the initial staging of head and neck cancer, using a trimodality PET/CT+MR system

Purpose To compare the diagnostic accuracy of PET+MR with PET/CT in the initial staging of head and neck cancer. Materials and methods Contrast-enhanced PET/CT+MR was performed in 27 patients with newly diagnosed head and neck cancer. PET/CT and PET+MR were evaluated separately, and the TNM stage and factors influencing treatment were assessed. Results The TNM staging by PET+MR was comparable to PET/CT (T: p =0.331, N: p =0.453, M: p =0.034). The sensitivity/specificity/accuracy of treatment-influencing factors by PET/CT and PET+MR were 0.68/0.99/0.97, and 1.00/1.00/0.99, respectively. Conclusions Whole-body staging with PET+MR yields at least equal diagnostic accuracy as PET/CT in head and neck cancer.