Key result
Asymmetric lung hypermetabolism on 18F-FDG PET/CT in the absence of parenchymal disease can be caused by a central pulmonary embolism.
Case Report (n=1)
Asymmetric lung hypermetabolism on 18F-FDG PET without parenchymal abnormalities can indicate a central pulmonary embolism.
Consider central PE in unexplained asymmetric lung FDG uptake without parenchymal disease; extends the differential for PET/CT artifacts and leaves open its prevalence.
We present a case of diffuse and moderately increased 18F-FDG uptake in the entire left lung on 18F-FDG PET without any morphological parenchymal abnormalities in a patient with recent history of esophageal adenocarcinoma treated by minimal invasive surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Contrast-enhanced CT revealed a large embolism in the left pulmonary artery with near total occlusion. In the absence of parenchymal lesions, the increased 18F-FDG uptake is most likely an inflammatory response to a recent ischemic insult. This case illustrates that asymmetric lung hypermetabolism in the absence of parenchymal disease can be caused by a central pulmonary embolism.
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Caekebeke et al. (2015) conducted a case report in Pulmonary Embolism (n=1). 18F-FDG PET/CT was evaluated on Asymmetric lung hypermetabolism. Asymmetric lung hypermetabolism on 18F-FDG PET/CT in the absence of parenchymal disease can be caused by a central pulmonary embolism.
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