FDG PET/CT in the detection of pancreatic metastasis in a patient with follicular thyroid carcinoma and negative I-131 whole body scan findings

Intern Med. 2014;53(18):2095-9. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.53.2427. Epub 2014 Sep 15.

Abstract

We identified a rare follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) metastasis to the pancreas in a patient of FTC. A 65-year-old woman presented at our hospital for evaluation of a pancreatic mass. She had a history of FTC. After total thyroidectomy, I-131 whole body scan showed increased I-131 uptake in the thyroid bed, but there was no evidence of distant metastasis. However, F-18 FDG PET/CT showed a mass with FDG uptake in the pancreatic head. Follow-up PET/CT showed FDG uptake in the pancreatic head and thyroid bed. Pylorus preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed. Histopathological examination supported the diagnosis of metastatic FTC to pancreas.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / diagnosis
  • Adenocarcinoma, Follicular / secondary*
  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes*
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Pancreatic Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroid Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*
  • Whole Body Imaging / methods*

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes