18F-FDG-PET/CT as an indicator for resection of pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma

Ann Nucl Med. 2008 Jul;22(6):521-4. doi: 10.1007/s12149-007-0159-z. Epub 2008 Aug 1.

Abstract

A 60-year-old man with a 7-year history of multiple pulmonary nodules presented to our hospital because the nodules were seen to have increased in size on review of films on a regular medical checkup 1 week earlier. Computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple pulmonary nodules with calcification in the lungs. The largest nodule measuring 2.5 cm in the maximum dimension was lobulated and ill-defined. The patient underwent 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT (18F-FDG-PET/CT) to evaluate the multiple nodules and to search for a primary lesion. 18F-FDG-PET/CT revealed increased uptake in only two nodules with a standardized uptake value of 4.61 and 2.10, respectively. The two foci with increased 18F-FDG uptake were resected and pathologically proven to be pulmonary epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (PEH). PEH can transform into malignancy with metastasis. An 18F-FDG-PET/CT finding may be an indicator to decide on PEH resection.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid / diagnosis*
  • Hemangioendothelioma, Epithelioid / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Lung Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Preoperative Care / methods
  • Prognosis
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18