DOI:10.2214/AJR.04.1896
AJR 2006; 186:639-648
© American Roentgen Ray Society
Focal Parenchymal Lung Lesions Showing a Potential of False-Positive and False-Negative Interpretations on Integrated PET/CT
Sung Shine Shim1,
Kyung Soo Lee1,
Byung-Tae Kim2,
Joon Young Choi2,
Myung Jin Chung1 and
Eun Jeong Lee2
1 Department of Radiology and Center for Imaging Science, Samsung Medical
Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 50, Ilwon-dong,
Kangnam-gu, Seoul 135-710, Korea.
2 Department of Nuclear Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan
University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Received December 13, 2004;
accepted after revision February 16, 2005.
Address correspondence to K. S. Lee
(kyungs.lee{at}samsung.com).
Abstract
OBJECTIVE. We describe a number of benign focal lung lesions with
increased 18F-FDG uptake that simulate lung cancer and malignant
lesions that lead to false-negatives due to little 18F-FDG uptake
on integrated PET/CT images.
CONCLUSION. The integration of clinical history, morphologic
findings of lung parenchymal lesions on the CT component, and metabolic
activities on the PET component of integrated PET/CT can help reduce false
interpretation of the study. A lung biopsy may be needed for lesions showing
increased 18F-FDG uptake on PET for tissue confirmation
irrespective of their morphology on CT.
Keywords: 18F-FDG uptake lung lung cancer lung diseases PET/CT
Introduction
PET using 18F-FDG has been reported to increase the diagnostic
accuracy of benign and malignant lesion differentiation. Moreover, integrated
PET/CTthat is, combining morphologic CT and functional PET
dataprovides both morphologic and functional information. However,
because PET or integrated PET/CT also shows increased uptake in lung tissues
with active inflammation or benign nodules, interpretation should be
approached with caution [1]. In
this pictorial essay, we describe a number of benign focal lung lesions with
increased 18F-FDG uptake that simulate lung cancer and malignant
lesions that lead to false-negatives due to little 18F-FDG uptake
on integrated PET/CT images.
Mechanism of 18F-FDG Uptake
In malignant tissues, 18F-FDG uptake depends on the metabolic
activity of the lesion. In other words, the extent of uptake is proportional
to the number of malignant cells and their proliferative activity. However,
increased 18F-FDG uptake has also been reported in pulmonary
inflammatory lesions; in that setting, increased uptake is not thought to
represent increased metabolic activity but, rather, the presence and activity
of leukocytes. The rationale underlying this belief is that activated
macrophages and neutrophils in inflammatory tissue use glucose as an energy
source for chemotaxis and phagocytosis, whereas fibroblasts use glucose for
proliferation [1].
Inflammatory or Infectious Lung Lesions Simulating Lung Cancer with Increased 18F-FDG Uptake
Active tuberculosis or tuberculoma, acute and chronic pneumonia, abscess,
fungal infection, sarcoidosis, parasitic infestation, and pneumoconiosis are
frequent causes of increased 18F-FDG uptake.
Active tuberculous pneumonias and granulomas have been reported to show
avid 18F-FDG uptake on PET (Figs.
1A and
1B) and to be associated with
satellite lesions adjacent to a dominant nodule (tuberculoma) on CT
[2]. In tuberculosis,
granulomatous lesions are mainly composed of lymphocytes and macrophages,
which use 18F-FDG as an energy source.

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Fig. 1A Pulmonary tuberculosis in 44-year-old man. Mediastinal window of
enhanced CT scan (5.0-mm collimation) obtained at level of suprahepatic
inferior vena cava shows masslike consolidation in left lower lobe.
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Pneumonias usually present with a lobular, segmental, or lobar pattern on
CT, which is atypical for cancer and may suggest benign disease on integrated
PET/CT. However, the intensity of 18F-FDG uptake shown by some
masslike consolidations is sufficient to simulate a malignant lesion (Figs.
2A,
2B, and
2C). Moreover, in this
situation, standardized uptake values (SUVs) indicating the intensity of
18F-FDG uptake are not helpful in differentiating benignancy from
malignancy [1,
3]. Lung abscess also shows
increased 18F-FDG uptake in the surrounding inflammatory tissue
with little or no uptake in the central necrotic area (Figs.
3A and
3B).

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Fig. 2B Actinomycosis in 48-year-old man. Significantly increased
18F-FDG uptake (peak standardized uptake value = 16.5) is noted in
lesion of left upper lobe on PET (B) and integrated PET/CT (C)
images. Small focus of activity (arrow, B) medial to main
lesion is also portion of inflammatory lesion, which could be connected to
main lesion on inferior images.
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Fig. 2C Actinomycosis in 48-year-old man. Significantly increased
18F-FDG uptake (peak standardized uptake value = 16.5) is noted in
lesion of left upper lobe on PET (B) and integrated PET/CT (C)
images. Small focus of activity (arrow, B) medial to main
lesion is also portion of inflammatory lesion, which could be connected to
main lesion on inferior images.
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Fig. 3A Lung abscess in 72-year-old woman. Mediastinal window of enhanced CT
scan (5.0-mm collimation) obtained at subcarinal level shows 4-cm subpleural
necrotic mass in right upper lobe. Also note right hilar lymph node
enlargement (arrow).
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Fig. 3B Lung abscess in 72-year-old woman. Markedly increased
18F-FDG uptake in parenchymal right upper lobar lesion (peak
standardized uptake value [SUV] = 13.5) and in right hilar lymph node
(arrow) (peak SUV = 6.5) is noticed on PET image.
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Previous reports have suggested intermediate increased 18F-FDG
uptake in fungal infections
[4]. However, we encountered
two cases of fungal infections (aspergillosis and coccidioidomycosis,
respectively) that showed intense 18F-FDG uptake, thereby mimicking
lung cancer (Figs. 4A and
4B). Watanabe et al.
[5] described a case of
pulmonary paragonimiasis with increased 18F-FDG uptake that
simulated lung cancer, and we also encountered an almost identical case (Figs.
5A,
5B, and
5C).

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Fig. 4A Coccidioidomycosis in 58-year-old man. Lung window of CT scan
(4.0-mm collimation, 80 mA) obtained at level of left lower lobar bronchus
shows masslike consolidation in right middle and lower lobes. Also note
enlarged lymph nodes (arrow) in subcarinal area.
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Fig. 4B Coccidioidomycosis in 58-year-old man. Integrated PET/CT scan
clearly shows high 18F-FDG uptake (peak standardized uptake value
[SUV] = 9.6) in parenchymal lung lesions and in subcarinal (peak SUV = 10.4)
lymph nodes (arrow).
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Fig. 5A Paragonimus westermani infestation in 46-year-old man.
Mediastinal window of CT scan (5.0-mm collimation) obtained at subcarinal
level shows 2.6-cm low-attenuation nodule (arrow) at bottom of right
upper lobe.
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Fig. 5B Paragonimus westermani infestation in 46-year-old man.
Increased 18F-FDG uptake (peak standardized uptake value = 8.1)
(arrow, C) is noted in nodule both on PET (B) and
integrated PET/CT (C) images.
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Fig. 5C Paragonimus westermani infestation in 46-year-old man.
Increased 18F-FDG uptake (peak standardized uptake value = 8.1)
(arrow, C) is noted in nodule both on PET (B) and
integrated PET/CT (C) images.
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Although glucose metabolism increases in patients with sarcoidosis, it is
variable; therefore, 18F-FDG uptake in sarcoidosis is inconsistent.
18F-FDG uptake in sarcoidosis depends on the presence of actively
dividing inflammatory cells, particularly the macrophages, lymphocytes, and
epithelioid monocytes that comprise sarcoid granulomas. Actively
granuloma-forming parenchymal lesions or nodes show increased
18F-FDG uptake because activated lymphocytes and macrophages
contribute to increased glucose use in the corresponding lesions
[6]. In our experience,
18F-FDG uptake in hilar lymph nodes of sarcoidosis was
significantly increased (Figs.
6A and
6B).

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Fig. 6A Sarcoidosis in 48-year-old man. Mediastinal window of unenhanced CT
scan (7.0-mm collimation) obtained at level of bronchus intermedius shows
13-mm hilar lymph nodes (arrows) bilaterally.
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Bandoh et al. [7] described
the 18F-FDG PET findings of a patient with lung cancer arising from
pneumoconiosis-associated progressive massive fibrosis. In that case,
18F-FDG PET enabled clear distinction to be drawn between lung
cancer and progressive massive fibrosis, thus illustrating the potential
usefulness of 18F-FDG PET for cancer screening among pneumoconiosis
patients: The cancer tissue showed increased 18F-FDG uptake,
whereas progressive massive fibrosis showed little uptake. However, in our
experience, progressive massive fibrosis showed increased 18F-FDG
uptake (Figs. 7A,
7B, and
7C), precluding clear
distinction between progressive massive fibrosis and lung cancer.

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Fig. 7A Pneumoconiosis and progressive massive fibrosis in 59-year-old man
who worked in coal mine for 20 years. Lung window of CT scan (5.0-mm
collimation) obtained at level of aortic arch shows two poorly defined masses,
one each in right and left upper lobes. Also note right pneumothorax caused by
percutaneous needle biopsy of mass in right upper lobe.
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Fig. 7B Pneumoconiosis and progressive massive fibrosis in 59-year-old man
who worked in coal mine for 20 years. Areas of increased 18F-FDG
uptake (arrows) (peak standardized uptake value [SUV] = 11.1) are
noted in masses of both upper lobes on transaxial (B) and coronal
(C) images of integrated PET/CT. Also note increased uptake in right
paratracheal node (arrowhead, B) (peak SUV = 11.0).
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Fig. 7C Pneumoconiosis and progressive massive fibrosis in 59-year-old man
who worked in coal mine for 20 years. Areas of increased 18F-FDG
uptake (arrows) (peak standardized uptake value [SUV] = 11.1) are
noted in masses of both upper lobes on transaxial (B) and coronal
(C) images of integrated PET/CT. Also note increased uptake in right
paratracheal node (arrowhead, B) (peak SUV = 11.0).
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Fig. 8A Sclerosing hemangioma in 40-year-old woman. Mediastinal window of
enhanced CT scan (5.0-mm collimation) obtained at level of right middle lobar
bronchus shows 2.2-cm enhancing nodule (arrow) in right middle
lobe.
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Fig. 9A Inflammatory pseudotumor in 70-year-old-woman. Lung window of CT
scan (5.0-mm collimation) obtained at level of basal segmental bronchus shows
2.5-cm well-defined nodule in left lower lobe.
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Fig. 9B Inflammatory pseudotumor in 70-year-old-woman. Abnormally increased
18F-FDG uptake (arrow, C) (peak standardized uptake
value = 6.4) is seen on both PET (B) and integrated PET/CT (C)
images.
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Fig. 9C Inflammatory pseudotumor in 70-year-old-woman. Abnormally increased
18F-FDG uptake (arrow, C) (peak standardized uptake
value = 6.4) is seen on both PET (B) and integrated PET/CT (C)
images.
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Benign Neoplasms with Increased 18F-FDG Uptake Simulating Malignancy
Benign tumors such as sclerosing hemangioma, leiomyoma, and inflammatory
pseudotumor may show increased 18F-FDG uptake.
Sclerosing hemangioma of the lung is considered a low-grade malignant
epithelial tumor that occasionally shows regional lymph node metastases.
Previous reports suggest that the disease shows little or only mild
18F-FDG accumulation
[8]. However, in our
experience, this tumor shows increased uptake (Figs.
8A and
8B) and contains epithelial
cells with focal moderate to severe nuclear atypism.
Moreover, according to a single report, inflammatory pseudotumor shows
increased 18F-FDG and rubidium-82 (a marker of flow) uptake,
suggesting a high degree of metabolic activity and increased perfusion
[9]. We also encountered a
similar case showing increased 18F-FDG uptake (Figs.
9A,
9B, and
9C).

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Fig. 10A Adenocarcinoma with predominantly mucinous bronchioloalveolar
carcinoma component in 48-year-old man. Lung window of thin-section CT scan
(2.5-mm collimation) obtained at level of azygous arch shows 2.1-cm nodule
(arrow) containing internal bubble radiolucencies with lobulated and
spiculated margin in left upper lobe.
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Fig. 10B Adenocarcinoma with predominantly mucinous bronchioloalveolar
carcinoma component in 48-year-old man. Little 18F-FDG uptake
(straight arrows) in lesion shown in A is noted on PET
(B) and integrated PET/CT (C) images. Mediastinal node uptakes
(curved arrows) were due to benign node uptake: follicular
hyperplasia with fibrotic nodule formation and anthracotic change on
histopathologic examination. Small focus of activity (arrowhead,
B) medial to lung cancer in B corresponds to vascular uptake in
left upper lobar pulmonary artery branch.
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Fig. 10C Adenocarcinoma with predominantly mucinous bronchioloalveolar
carcinoma component in 48-year-old man. Little 18F-FDG uptake
(straight arrows) in lesion shown in A is noted on PET
(B) and integrated PET/CT (C) images. Mediastinal node uptakes
(curved arrows) were due to benign node uptake: follicular
hyperplasia with fibrotic nodule formation and anthracotic change on
histopathologic examination. Small focus of activity (arrowhead,
B) medial to lung cancer in B corresponds to vascular uptake in
left upper lobar pulmonary artery branch.
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Lung Neoplasms with Reduced 18F-FDG Uptake Simulating Benignancy
Mucinous and nonmucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinomas (BACs),
adenocarcinomas with BAC components, carcinoids, and mucoepidermoid carcinomas
are all tumors that may show little 18F-FDG uptake and thus may
simulate benign tumors. Kim et al.
[10] showed that BAC, which
often contains abundant mucin, has significantly lower peak SUVs than squamous
cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and other cell types and can thus lead to
false-negative interpretations on PET images. Higashi et al.
[11] reported a correlation
between 18F-FDG uptake and the degree of cell differentiation in
adenocarcinomas of the lung. They found that the mean SUV of
well-differentiated adenocarcinomas was significantly lower than that of
moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas (Figs.
10A,
10B, and
10C).
Moreover, it is well known that carcinoids show little 18F-FDG
uptake [12] (Figs.
11A and
11B). Somatostatin receptor
imaging with indium-111 DTPA pentetreotide (Octreoscan, Mallinkrodt) can help
identify bronchial carcinoid with increased radionuclide uptake
[13]. Based on our experience,
mucoepidermoid carcinomas also show marginal 18F-FDG uptake (Figs.
12A,
12B, and
12C).

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Fig. 11A Carcinoid tumor in 56-year-old man. Mediastinal window of enhanced
CT scan (5.0-mm collimation) obtained at level of left atrium shows 41-mm
moderately enhancing homogeneous mass in right lower lobe.
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Fig. 12A Mucoepidermoid carcinoma in 64-year-old woman. Coronal reformation
image of enhanced CT scan (2.5-mm collimation) shows nonenhancing
endobronchial nodule (arrow) in left lower lobar bronchus.
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Summary
Benign focal lung lesions can simulate lung cancer with increased
18F-FDG uptake and malignant lesions can lead to a false-negative
interpretation due to little 18F-FDG uptake on integrated PET/CT
images. Thus, an awareness of the various 18F-FDG uptakes of
parenchymal lung lesions is crucial for the correct interpretation of
integrated PET/CT images. The integration of clinical history, morphologic
findings of lung parenchymal lesions on the CT component, and metabolic
activities on the PET component of integrated PET/CT can help reduce false
interpretation of the study. A lung biopsy may be needed for lesions showing
increased 18F-FDG uptake on PET for tissue confirmation
irrespective of their morphology on CT.
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