[Bone metastases of a gallbladder carcinoma detected by positron emission tomography/computed tomography: Case report]

Rev Med Chil. 2017 Apr;145(4):527-532. doi: 10.4067/S0034-98872017000400013.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Signet ring gallbladder carcinoma is a rare aggressive variant of mucinous adenocarcinoma with poor prognosis. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with Fluor18 deoxyglucose (F18-FDG) is a useful tool in the staging of gallbladder cancer. We report a 68 years old man with a surgically resected acute cholecystitis, whose biopsy was positive for signet ring cell gallbladder carcinoma. During surgery, locoregional lymph nodes, liver or peritoneal involvement were not detected. A PET/CT was performed for staging, finding multiple hypermetabolic lytic bone lesions. Percutaneous biopsy of a pelvis bone lesion, confirmed a metastasis of the tumor. In this case, the staging with PET/CT allowed the diagnosis of unsuspected bone metastases and was a useful tool for deciding the best site of biopsy for histologic confirmation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / diagnostic imaging*
  • Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell / secondary*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Gallbladder Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Multimodal Imaging
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Radiopharmaceuticals

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18