Bone Marrow Activation After Chemotherapy Presenting as Diffuse Skeletal Uptake on 18F-Fluorocholine PET/CT

Clin Nucl Med. 2021 Oct 1;46(10):e498-e500. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000003695.

Abstract

Diffuse 18F-FDG skeletal uptake due to chemotherapy-induced bone marrow activation is well documented, whereas it has never been reported with 18F-fluorocholine. We described a patient with pelvic recurrence of prostate cancer at 18F-fluorocholine PET/CT. A second PET/CT after docetaxel showed minimal residual activity in pelvis, but it revealed diffuse, intense 18F-fluorocholine skeletal uptake. Considering biochemical and metabolic response and absence of morphologically suspected bone lesions, skeletal hyperactivity was interpreted as chemotherapy-related bone marrow rebound rather than diffuse metastatic involvement, as confirmed by its resolution after treatment ended. The occurrence of such 18F-fluorocholine pattern should be considered to avoid imaging misinterpretation.

MeSH terms

  • Bone Marrow* / diagnostic imaging
  • Choline / analogs & derivatives
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • fluorocholine
  • Choline