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
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PubMed
Doi
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Journal
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Issn Print
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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.