TL-201 IMAGING FOR DIFFERENTIATING BETWEEN MALIGNANT AND BENIGN NECK MASSES

The aim of this study was to assess the ability of Tl-201 scintigraphy to differentiate between malignant and benign neck masses. Fifty-eigh t patients with neck masses, whose diagnoses were confirmed by histolo gical examination, were examined. The sensitivity, specificity and acc uracy of Tl-201 scintigraphy were 80%, 96% and 88% respectively; when salivary gland masses were excluded, these values were 87%, 95% and 91 % respectively. Our results suggest that Tl-201 scintigraphy is highly reliable in determining the malignancy of neck masses, especially whe n salivary gland masses are excluded. ((C) 1998 Lippincott-Raven Publi shers).