CLINICAL IMAGING OF HEAD AND NECK-CANCER WITH TC-99M-LABELED MONOCLONAL-ANTIBODY E48 IGG OR F(AB')(2)

Methods: In 32 patients who were suspected of having a neck lymph node metastasis from a histologically proven squamous-cell carcinoma of th e head and neck (HNSCC), the diagnostic value of Tc-99m-labeled (750 M Bq) monoclonal antibody (1-2 mg) E48 IgG (n = 17) and its F(ab')(2) fr agment (n = 15) was evaluated and compared. Preoperative findings on l ymph node status obtained by radioimmunoscintigraphy (RIS), computeriz ed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and palpation wer e defined per side (left and/or right side of the neck) as well as per lymph node level (I through V) and compared to the histopathological outcome of the neck dissection specimen.