Disseminated Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection Masquerading as Metastasis after Heavy Ion Radiotherapy for Prostate Cancer

Intern Med. 2016;55(22):3387-3392. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.7039. Epub 2016 Nov 15.

Abstract

Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography with computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is useful in disease monitoring of malignancies after therapy, while an FDG uptake may also be present in benign diseases. We herein demonstrate a case of disseminated Mycobacterium tuberculosis mimicking systemic metastasis of prostate cancer. This case highlights that clinicians should consider Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients with prostate cancer who demonstrate multifocal FDG uptakes masquerading as metastasis, even when the chest photographs reveal a normal appearance and a sputum examination demonstrates negative results. An invasive surgical biopsy may be required and a pathological analysis would be critical in the diagnosis of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Heavy Ion Radiotherapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mycobacterium tuberculosis*
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / secondary
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Tuberculosis, Miliary / diagnosis*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18