Open AccessFindings on Fluorine-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in a Patient with Malignant Pheochromocytoma
Author(s) -
Pelin Özcan Kara,
Taylan Kara,
Gonca Kara Gedik,
Oktay Sarı,
Özlem Öztürk Şahin
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
molecular imaging and radionuclide therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.292
H-Index - 7
eISSN - 2147-1959
pISSN - 2146-1414
DOI - 10.4274/mirt.018253
Subject(s) - medicine , pheochromocytoma , malignancy , positron emission tomography , adrenal medulla , radiology , fluorodeoxyglucose , nuclear medicine , pathology , catecholamine
Pheochromocytomas are rare tumors arising from chromaffin cells of the sympathoadrenal system and 85% of them are located in the adrenal medulla. Malignant pheochromocytomas account for 10% of all pheochromocytomas. Since clinical, biochemical and histopathological features can not reliably distinguish malignant from benign tumors, malignancy is established in the presence of distant metastases. Although in some cases, metastases may develop during follow-up, most of these tumors have metastatic disease at initial presentation. In this case report, detection of distant metastases and recurrence developed during follow-up with 18-flouro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) in a patient with malignant pheochromocytoma was presented.