PET/MR Imaging in Head and Neck Cancer: Current Applications and Future Directions

Abstract

Clinical PET/MR imaging is being implemented at institutions worldwide as part of the standard-of-care imaging for select oncology patients. This article focuses on oncologic applications of PET/MR imaging in cancers of the head and neck. Although current published literature is relatively sparse, the potential benefits of a hybrid modality of PET/MR imaging are discussed along with several possible areas of research. With the increasing number of PET/MR imaging scanners in clinical use and ongoing research, the role of PET/MR imaging in the management of head and neck cancer is likely to become more evident in the near future.

Keywords: FDG-PET; Head and neck oncology; Melanoma; Oncologic imaging; PET/MR Imaging; Squamous cell carcinoma; Thyroid cancer.