Positron emission tomography in the detection and management of sarcomatous transformation in neurofibromatosis

Clin Nucl Med. 2001 Jun;26(6):525-8. doi: 10.1097/00003072-200106000-00009.

Abstract

Benign neurofibromas undergo sarcomatous transformation in approximately 5% of patients with neurofibromatosis type I. The clinical and radiologic diagnosis of sarcomatous change remains difficult. Positron emission tomography with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose is a method to assess increased glucose metabolism in malignant tissue such as sarcomas. In this case report, positron emission tomography accurately distinguished malignant from benign neurofibromas. The technique may be useful as a noninvasive screening tool for malignant transformation of neurofibromas.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neurofibromatosis 1 / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neurofibromatosis 1 / pathology
  • Neurofibromatosis 1 / surgery
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Pelvic Neoplasms / surgery
  • Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / pathology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / surgery
  • Sarcoma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Sarcoma / pathology
  • Sarcoma / surgery
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed / methods*