18F-FDG PET/CT Scan Can Predate Clinical Presentation in Acute Appendicitis

Clin Nucl Med. 2017 Sep;42(9):e409-e411. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000001750.

Abstract

Acute appendicitis is a clinical diagnosis typically presenting with right lower quadrant pain. We describe the case of an asymptomatic 53-year-old man with stage 2A diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, who underwent F-FDG PET/CT at the completion of chemotherapy. The scan showed complete lymphomatous disease remission. Incidentally, there was increased FDG uptake in a tubular structure adjacent to the cecum. Clinical examination was negative. Subsequently, the patient presented 6 days later with typical acute appendicitis symptoms. This case is interesting wherein increased FDG uptake in the appendix predated the appearance of clinical symptoms.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Appendicitis / complications
  • Appendicitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Appendicitis / metabolism
  • Appendicitis / pathology
  • Biological Transport
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / complications
  • Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / pathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18