Ipilimumab-induced immunomediated adverse events: possible pitfalls in (18)F-FDG PET/CT interpretation

Clin Nucl Med. 2014 May;39(5):472-4. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0b013e31828da691.

Abstract

A 42-year-old woman underwent resection of a high-risk melanoma of the right thigh. Adjuvant treatment with ipilimumab was then started within a phase III randomised, double-blind clinical trial. F-FDG PET/CT scan showed intense uptake in mediastinal hilar lymph nodes, bilaterally, and in rectus abdominis muscle. Biopsy at the abdominal wall revealed a chronic granulomatous inflammation. After oral steroid treatment, all the areas of abnormal tracer uptake disappeared. Ipilimumab can induce inflammatory immunomediated reactions that should be taken into account to avoid misinterpretation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / immunology*
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Ipilimumab
  • Multimodal Imaging*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Ipilimumab
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18