Pulmonary hyalinizing granuloma mimicking multiple lung metastases: report of fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission findings

J Thorac Imaging. 2010 May;25(2):W36-9. doi: 10.1097/RTI.0b013e3181a4bb41.

Abstract

Pulmonary hyalinizing granuloma (PHG) is a rare disease characterized by multiple bilateral pulmonary nodules of uncertain etiology. We describe a 71-year-old female patient with thyroid papillary carcinoma in whom bilateral pulmonary nodules were found during a routine chest radiography examination. Subsequent fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan gave the impression of multiple pulmonary metastases based on high maximum standardized uptake value. She underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with wedge resection, and PHG was diagnosed on the basis of histopathologic findings. To our knowledge, this is the first report of PHG developing in a patient as a solid cancer, mimicking multiple pulmonary metastases. We also present the first description of positron emission tomography in PHG, according to a Medline search.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / diagnostic imaging*
  • Granuloma, Respiratory Tract / surgery
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18