Parapharyngeal Ganglioneuroma Detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT in a Patient With Hodgkin Lymphoma

Clin Nucl Med. 2019 Mar;44(3):240-243. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000002444.

Abstract

A 38-year-old woman with anterior mediastinal Hodgkin lymphoma underwent F-FDG PET/CT, revealing abnormal uptake at the left retrostyloid parapharyngeal space. After chemotherapy, follow-up PET/CT showed regression of previously avid lesions but not the left retropharyngeal mass. Subsequent MRI revealed findings suggestive of neurogenic tumor. Transoral biopsy revealed ganglioneuroma, which is uncommon in the parapharyngeal space, although usually of benign nature. This case therefore highlights the importance of PET/CT in both initial diagnostic screening for tumor development and posttreatment evaluation of ambiguous lesions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Ganglioneuroma / complications
  • Ganglioneuroma / diagnostic imaging*
  • Hodgkin Disease / complications*
  • Humans
  • Pharyngeal Neoplasms / complications
  • Pharyngeal Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18