Metachronous, multicentric giant cell tumor of the sphenoid bone with histologic, CT, MR imaging, and positron-emission tomography/CT correlation

AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2006 Nov-Dec;27(10):2199-201.

Abstract

Giant cell tumor (GCT) of the sphenoid bone is a relatively rare entity and metachronous multicentric GCT of the sphenoid is even rarer; we are aware of only 3 previous cases in the literature. We describe here a tumor of the sphenoid bone that was identified 15 years after multiple resections of a GCT of the left inferior pubic ramus. Correlation is made between the histopathologic findings, MR imaging of the brain, CT of the head, and fusion positron-emission tomography (PET)/CT scan performed with fluorine-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG). This report is the first to describe the appearance of a GCT of the sphenoid bone on a fusion PET/CT examination. High metabolic activity in the base of the skull adjacent to the middle cranial fossa was demonstrated in a fashion similar to that of the known pelvic lesion. This case also demonstrates that the increased metabolic activity seen in a GCT of the sphenoid bone may be partially obscured by the adjacent physiologic high metabolic activity of the brain.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Giant Cell Tumor of Bone / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Neoplasms, Second Primary / diagnosis*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Skull Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Sphenoid Bone*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*