Markedly increased 18F-FDG uptake in a nonfunctioning adrenal adenoma mimicking malignancy

Clin Nucl Med. 2013 Aug;38(8):e333-5. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0b013e318279f389.

Abstract

A 63-year-old woman underwent (18)F-FDG PET/CT searching for the cause of a fever of unknown origin. (18)F-FDG PET/CT incidentally detected a focal area of markedly increased radiopharmaceutical uptake in the right adrenal gland; this finding was suspicious for an adrenal malignancy or a functioning adenoma. Nevertheless, histology and laboratory data demonstrated the presence of a nonfunctioning adenoma. This case highlights that nonfunctioning adrenal adenomas should be considered as possible false-positive (18)F-FDG PET/CT findings for malignancy in the evaluation of adrenal incidentalomas, even when marked (18)F-FDG uptake is revealed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenoma / diagnosis*
  • Adenoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Adenoma / metabolism*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Adrenal Gland Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Biological Transport
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Radiography
  • Radionuclide Imaging

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18