Increased 18F-FDG uptake mimicking thyroid cancer in a patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Publication

Increased 18F-FDG uptake mimicking thyroid cancer in a patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Journal Paper/Review - Sep 1, 2003

Schmid Daniel T, Kneifel Stefan, Stöckli Sandro, Padberg Barbara-C, Merrill Griff, Goerres Gerhard W

Citation

Schmid D, Kneifel S, Stöckli S, Padberg B, Merrill G, Goerres G. Increased 18F-FDG uptake mimicking thyroid cancer in a patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. European radiology 2003; 13:2119-21.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

European radiology 2003; 13

Publication Date

Sep 1, 2003

Issn Print

0938-7994

Pages

2119-21

Brief description/objective

We report the case of a 68-year-old patient with a known paravertebral malignant schwannoma, sent to us for postoperative staging. A combined whole-body PET/CT scan showed only poor (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the region of the primary tumor but distinct increased fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in the left and right thyroid gland. Thyroid sonography showed two hypoechogenic nodules. Ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration biopsy of one nodule showed oxyphil transformed cells, compatible with malignancy. Based on these findings, the patient underwent a subtotal thyroidectomy. Histopathology of the specimen revealed a chronic follicular Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This case demonstrates that Hashimoto's thyroiditis can mimic thyroid cancer in PET but also in sonography and fine-needle aspiration biopsy.