Follicular thyroid carcinoma metastasis to the esophagus detected by 18FDG PET/CT

Thyroid. 2008 Feb;18(2):267-71. doi: 10.1089/thy.2007.0095.

Abstract

We report an unusual case of an esophageal metastasis demonstrated on integrated 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanning. A 55-year-old male with treated well-differentiated follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) had persistently raised thyroglobulin levels despite both negative whole-body CT scan and 131I scans. An initial 18FDG PET/CT scan showed moderate focal uptake in the esophagus, which was initially thought to be physiological. A subsequent comparative 18FDG PET/CT scan showed more intense uptake. A diagnostic endoscopy revealed a pedunculated esophageal polyp, which histological examination confirmed to be metastatic FTC. Such a case has not previously been reported.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / diagnosis*
  • Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / secondary
  • Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / therapy
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / secondary
  • Esophageal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Esophagoscopy
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / therapy
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18