68Ga-FAPI PET/CT Distinguishes the Reactive Lymph Nodes From Tumor Metastatic Lymph Nodes in a Patient With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Clin Nucl Med. 2022 Apr 1;47(4):367-368. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000003939.

Abstract

Accurate clinical staging is crucial for managing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, false-positive finding of cervical lymph nodes in 18F-FDG PET/CT and MRI may lead to unnecessary chemotherapy for NPC. In this case, we report a patient with NPC who was incorrectly diagnosed with bilateral cervical lymph node metastases by both 18F-FDG PET/CT and MRI. Subsequent pathology results showed proliferating lymphoid cells with no signs of tumor metastasis. Interestingly, no abnormal 68Ga-FAPI uptake was observed in the nonmetastatic reactive lymph nodes. Therefore, 68Ga-FAPI PET/CT may be useful for assessment of pretreatment lymph node status in NPC.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Lymph Nodes / diagnostic imaging
  • Lymph Nodes / pathology
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma / diagnostic imaging
  • Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma / pathology
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
  • Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms* / pathology
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography* / methods
  • Quinolines

Substances

  • 68Ga-FAPI
  • Quinolines
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18