Abstract
For cancers of the head and neck, the combination of 18F-fluorodeoxy-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)/computed tomography (CT)
gains wide acceptance, especially if the primary tumor is unknown (CUP).
A patient underwent FDG-PET/CT for squamous cell CUP with cervical lymph node metastases.
FDG-PET/CT showed uptake in the right side of the tongue, rendering this area a possible
location for the primary tumor. However, clinical examination revealed a deviation
of the tongue toward the left side indicating affection of the left hypoglossal nerve,
causing the increased FDG uptake.
This case illustrates the interpretive pitfalls of unspecific FDG uptake in PET/CT
imaging of the head and neck.
Keywords
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 15, 2010
Accepted:
September 15,
2010
Received:
August 12,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
