Open AccessPulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis without concurrent liver metastasis from colon cancer detected using 18F-FDG PET/CT
Author(s) -
Yueqi Wang,
Minggang Su,
Lin Li
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.59
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1536-5964
pISSN - 0025-7974
DOI - 10.1097/md.0000000000017446
Subject(s) - medicine , radiology , positron emission tomography , colorectal cancer , biopsy , lung cancer , fluorodeoxyglucose , metastasis , lymphangitis , cancer , nuclear medicine , pathology
Rationale: The infiltration of tumor cells to pulmonary lymphatic system, as known as pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosis (PLC), is a rare presentation of pulmonary metastases. Patient concerns: We reported a case of a 66-year-old man after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy for colon cancer. Two months after these therapies, the patient complained of nonproductive cough for 1 week. Diagnoses: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scanning revealed increased FDG uptake along the thickened bronchovascular bundles, in bilaterally scattered ground-glass opacities and in mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The transbronchial biopsy and pathological study confirmed the diagnosis of PLC. Interventions: Antineoplastic treatment (cetuximab) were administered after the patient was diagnosed with PLC. Outcomes: The patient died of respiratory failure within 3 months after the onset of his symptom. Lessons: 18F-FDG PET/CT play an important role in identifying PLC, in selecting possible biopsy sites, and in accessing the extent of metastatic disease.