[Value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET in the diagonosis and monitoring of pulmonary sarcoidosis: a case report]

Abstract

A 46-year-old woman was referred to our hospital because of abnormal findings of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET (FDG-PET) scan at a medical check-up. Her chest radiography and CT showed nodular shadows distributed along the broncho-vascular bundle. The 1st FDG-PET showed a high FDG uptake in the pulmonary nodules, and the hilar, mediastinal and supraclavicular lymph nodes. Although sarcoidosis was suspected, diagnosis was not obtained by bronchoscopy. Thoracoscopic lung biopsy was performed in order to exclude malignancy, resulting in a definite diagnosis of sarcoidosis. No treatment was given and subsequently spontaneous regression was obtained. The follow-up FDG-PET showed no abnormal uptake at all. FDG-PET has been widely used in the assessment of malignancy, however recent reports have indicated that sarcoid lesions could have increased FDG activity. FDG-PET may be useful for diagnosis and monitoring in sarcoidosis.