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Figure
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Figure
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Figure
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History:
75 year old male with a history of head and neck cancer underwent a CT
scan of the chest (Figure 2) which showed a solitary 2 cm left upper
lobe nodule. The patient was referred to Main Street Radiology for a PET
scan.
Findings:
Whole body PET scan was performed demonstrating an intense
hypermetabolic focus (Figure 1) corresponding to the pulmonary nodule
seen on CT, indicative of carcinoma. A second abnormality was seen,
within the right lower quadrant of the abdomen (Figure 1). In
retrospect, a cecal mass is seen on the abdomen CT (figure 3)
corresponding to the PET scan finding, compatible with carcinoma.
Discussion:
PET scanning has been shown to be an excellent tool in imaging
solitary pulmonary nodules, with sensitivity reported at approximately
95%. The success of PET scanning has significantly reduced the number
of negative biopsies and thoracotomies at many institutions.
As the number of PET scans performed
throughout the country increases, reports of incidental tumors are
surfacing. At a conference sponsored by American College of Radiology,
experts in the field of oncological PET scanning report that
colorectal and thyroid carcinomas are the most commonly discovered
incidental tumors.
Colorectal carcinoma is one of the most
common indications for PET scanning. Sensitivity for metastatic
disease has been reported to be greater than 90%, much higher that CT
or MRI. Including PET in the work-up of colorectal carcinoma will help
both the oncologist and surgeon to select the most appropriate
treatment.
Clinical Case
Studies
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Main
Street Radiology
PET
Clinical
Case Studies |
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