Studies have shown that 7% to 14% of patients have as second lung primary at the time of initial staging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [15,21]. This patient population may also qualify for annual chest imaging as per the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force guidelines for annual lung cancer screening with low- dose CT in well-defined groups of high-risk smokers [20]. The use of IV contrast may improve detection of mediastinal and hilar adenopathy, distinguishing nodes from mediastinal vessels and aid in delineation of soft-tissue extension of skeletal metastatic disease. There is a paucity of relevant supportive literature specifically comparing the diagnostic performance of CT chest with IV contrast and CT chest without IV contrast. CT Chest Without and With IV Contrast There is no relevant literature to support the use of CT chest without and with IV contrast in the evaluation of suspected or diagnosed initial staging of suspected or diagnosed cancer of the paranasal sinuses or nasal cavity. A heavy smoking history may also be a separate indication for CT chest imaging at initial staging, because tobacco use is a risk factor not only for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck but also for primary lung cancer [15,20]. Studies have shown that 7% to 14% of patients have as second lung primary at the time of initial staging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [15,21]. This patient population may also qualify for annual chest Assessment of Head and Neck Cancer imaging as per the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force guidelines for annual lung cancer screening with low- dose CT in well-defined groups of high-risk smokers [20]. The use of IV contrast may improve detection of mediastinal and hilar adenopathy, distinguishing nodes from mediastinal vessels and aid in delineation of soft tissue extension of skeletal metastatic disease.
Staging and Post Therapy Assessment of Head and Neck Cancer. Studies have shown that 7% to 14% of patients have as second lung primary at the time of initial staging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [15,21]. This patient population may also qualify for annual chest imaging as per the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force guidelines for annual lung cancer screening with low- dose CT in well-defined groups of high-risk smokers [20]. The use of IV contrast may improve detection of mediastinal and hilar adenopathy, distinguishing nodes from mediastinal vessels and aid in delineation of soft-tissue extension of skeletal metastatic disease. There is a paucity of relevant supportive literature specifically comparing the diagnostic performance of CT chest with IV contrast and CT chest without IV contrast. CT Chest Without and With IV Contrast There is no relevant literature to support the use of CT chest without and with IV contrast in the evaluation of suspected or diagnosed initial staging of suspected or diagnosed cancer of the paranasal sinuses or nasal cavity. A heavy smoking history may also be a separate indication for CT chest imaging at initial staging, because tobacco use is a risk factor not only for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck but also for primary lung cancer [15,20]. Studies have shown that 7% to 14% of patients have as second lung primary at the time of initial staging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma [15,21]. This patient population may also qualify for annual chest Assessment of Head and Neck Cancer imaging as per the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force guidelines for annual lung cancer screening with low- dose CT in well-defined groups of high-risk smokers [20]. The use of IV contrast may improve detection of mediastinal and hilar adenopathy, distinguishing nodes from mediastinal vessels and aid in delineation of soft tissue extension of skeletal metastatic disease.