Case Author(s): Charles Pringle, M.D./ F. Dehdashti, M.D. , 10/17/95 . Rating: #D4, #Q4

Diagnosis: Metastatic malignant melanoma

Brief history:

Past history of malignant melanoma.

Images:

anterior whole body

View main image(pt) in a separate image viewer

View second image(ct). C. T. scan through pelvis

View third image(ct). C. T. scan through inguinal region

View fourth image(ct). C. T. scan (lung windows) through chest

Full history/Diagnosis is available below


Diagnosis: Metastatic malignant melanoma

Full history:

38-year old woman with history of malignant melanoma eleven years ago. Now presents with metastases in a right inguinal node. Evaluate for other areas of metastatic disease.

Findings:

Multiple focal areas of increased FDG accumulation are present in the thorax, abdomen, and pelvis. On the anterior whole body image, the abnormally increased activity within the left pelvis, right inguinal region, and mediastinum is seen. These areas are suspicious for metastatic disease.

Discussion:

None

Followup:

A left salpingo-oophorectomy was performed, which revealed a hemorrhagic corpus luteum cyst, paraovarian adhesions, and no evidence of cancer. Right inguinal node biopsy was positive for malignant melanoma.

Major teaching point(s):

The findings on the PET study are significant in that in addition to the malignancy, the hemorrhagic cystic lesion in the ovary also showed increased metabolism. The exact mechanism of increased FDG accumulation in this benign lesion is unknown.

ACR Codes and Keywords:

References and General Discussion of PET Tumor Imaging Studies (Anatomic field:Vascular and Lymphatic Systems, Category:Misc)

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Case number: pt004

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