18 F-FDG PET/CT Findings of Leptomeningeal Metastasis in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Clin Nucl Med. 2023 Feb 1;48(2):201-202. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000004499. Epub 2022 Dec 7.

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NC) is an epithelial tumor with distinctive prevalence in East and Southeast Asia. Most patients with NC only experience regional metastasis. In cases of distant metastasis, prognosis is grim. Leptomeningeal spread of the disease is a rare occurrence, which is sparsely described in the literature. We present a case of a 33-year-old man with a history of high-grade NC with leptomeningeal metastasis. Initial MRI lumbar spine demonstrated subtle findings consistent with leptomeningeal disease. These findings are easily discernible on 18 F-FDG PET/CT.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Meningeal Carcinomatosis*
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Positron-Emission Tomography

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18