Unusual asymptomatic fluorodeoxyglucose avid pheochromocytoma in a case of myxoid liposarcoma of the extremity on ¹⁸-F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography

Sarcomas are a heterogeneous group of rare tumors and arise either from soft tissue or from bone. Soft-tissue sarcomas (STSs) initially metastasize to the lungs. Metastases to extrapulmonary sites such as liver, brain, and soft tissue distant from primary tumor usually develop later. However, cases with isolated adrenal metastasis without disseminated disease have been reported in literature. We present a case of primary myxoid liposarcoma of the lower limb, in which staging ¹⁸-F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG PET-CT) scan detected a suspicious FDG avid adrenal lesion which eventually on resection was diagnosed as asymptomatic pheochromocytoma. Pheochromocytomas have been reported to demonstrate FDG uptake mimicking metastasis. Hence, while interpreting FDG PET-CT scans in the context of STSs, both the extrapulmonary metastatic potential of aggressive histological subtypes of sarcoma and rare possibility of FDG avid coexistent benign tumor should be taken into consideration.

Keywords

Adrenal lesion - ¹⁸-F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography - myxoid liposarcoma - pheochromocytoma

Publication History

Article published online:
18 May 2022