Diagnosis of Bilateral Tonsil Cancers via Staging PET/CT: Case Report and Review

Int J Otolaryngol. 2011:2011:928240. doi: 10.1155/2011/928240. Epub 2011 Jul 14.

Abstract

Diagnostic workup of metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma of unknown primary site has traditionally included CT and/or MRI imaging and endoscopic biopsies. Routine bilateral tonsillectomy is highly controversial and the role of PET/CT is evolving, both for identification of potential primary sites and the detection of distant metastases. We report a case of cervical nodal metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma from an unknown primary site, in which dual-modality PET/CT led to the unexpected diagnosis of synchronous bilateral tonsillar cancers. In addition, PET/CT correctly distinguished pulmonary sarcoidosis from metastatic disease in this patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports