Sacral fractures: a potential pitfall of FDG positron emission tomography

AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2003 Nov;181(5):1239-43. doi: 10.2214/ajr.181.5.1811239.

Abstract

Objective: Positron emission tomography (PET) with FDG is useful for tumor imaging, but false-positive results can occur. The purpose of this study is to describe three oncology patients with sacral fractures in whom FDG uptake in the sacrum increased on PET.

Conclusion: Sacral fractures can show increased uptake of FDG on PET. Therefore, correlative cross-sectional imaging is necessary to avoid the erroneous diagnosis of sacral metastases on PET and prevent inappropriate treatment of patients.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Prospective Studies
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Sacrum*
  • Tomography, Emission-Computed*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18