Pseudometastasis secondary to histoplasmosis infection: false-positive PET/CT findings

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010 Apr;54(4):621-3. doi: 10.1002/pbc.22363.

Abstract

Positron emission computed tomography (PET)/CT is a common modality used in the workup of neoplastic conditions. However, false-positive results may be produced by underlying infectious processes. We report two cases of false-positive PET/CT studies secondary to histoplasmosis infections in both a pediatric and a young adult patient. After the diagnoses, one patient was observed with no therapy and the other received a complete course of itraconazole. In both cases biopsy results were positive for fungal elements consistent with histoplasmosis. Both patients were successfully managed and have had follow-up histoplasmosis titers that reveal resolving infections.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bone Neoplasms / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • False Positive Reactions
  • Female
  • Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors / pathology
  • Histoplasmosis / drug therapy
  • Histoplasmosis / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Itraconazole / therapeutic use
  • Lung / microbiology
  • Lung / pathology*
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Metastasis / pathology*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Itraconazole