The integrated modality positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with C-11 choline is an established diagnostic tool for restaging prostate cancer patients with a biochemical failure after primary treatment. Thymoma is a rare tumor originating in thymus epithelial cells, asymptomatic in one-third to one-half of patients, and often occurring in the fourth and fifth decades of life. In the present case, C-11 choline PET/CT was performed in a prostate cancer patient with a biochemical relapse, to restage the disease. In addition to the detection of local recurrent disease in prostatic fossa, an abnormal C-11 choline increased uptake in mediastinum was reported. The mediastinal finding was initially wrongly interpreted by clinicians as a lymph nodal metastasis from prostate cancer. However, histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of a thymoma. Although rare, thymoma has to be considered as differential diagnosis in case of mediastinal masses presenting C-11 choline PET/CT positive findings, to avoid inappropriate patient management.

Fallanca, F., Picchio, M., Spinapolice, E., Ugolini, C., Proietti, A., Messa, M. (2011). Imaging of a thymoma incidentally detected by C-11 choline PET/CT. CLINICAL NUCLEAR MEDICINE, 36(2), 134-135 [10.1097/RLU.0b013e318203bc63].

Imaging of a thymoma incidentally detected by C-11 choline PET/CT

SPINAPOLICE, ELENA GIULIA;MESSA, MARIA CRISTINA
2011

Abstract

The integrated modality positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) with C-11 choline is an established diagnostic tool for restaging prostate cancer patients with a biochemical failure after primary treatment. Thymoma is a rare tumor originating in thymus epithelial cells, asymptomatic in one-third to one-half of patients, and often occurring in the fourth and fifth decades of life. In the present case, C-11 choline PET/CT was performed in a prostate cancer patient with a biochemical relapse, to restage the disease. In addition to the detection of local recurrent disease in prostatic fossa, an abnormal C-11 choline increased uptake in mediastinum was reported. The mediastinal finding was initially wrongly interpreted by clinicians as a lymph nodal metastasis from prostate cancer. However, histopathological analysis confirmed the presence of a thymoma. Although rare, thymoma has to be considered as differential diagnosis in case of mediastinal masses presenting C-11 choline PET/CT positive findings, to avoid inappropriate patient management.
Articolo in rivista - Articolo scientifico
C-11 choline, PET/CT
English
2011
36
2
134
135
none
Fallanca, F., Picchio, M., Spinapolice, E., Ugolini, C., Proietti, A., Messa, M. (2011). Imaging of a thymoma incidentally detected by C-11 choline PET/CT. CLINICAL NUCLEAR MEDICINE, 36(2), 134-135 [10.1097/RLU.0b013e318203bc63].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/10281/30356
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