Hepatic radiation injury mimicking metastasis in distal esophageal cancer.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

A new hypermetabolic lesion on 18FDG-PET/CT after neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for distal esophageal cancer can be a hepatic metastasis and should be examined carefully before esophagectomy.

CASE-REPORT:

We present a case of acute and nodular radiation-induced injury of the left liver after neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for distal esophageal cancer, which resembles a hepatic metastasis on 18FDG-PET/CT. Acute and nodular radiation hepatitis (RH) can be a potential cause of false-positive findings of malignancy and therefore exclude patients who could benefit from esophagectomy.

CONCLUSION:

18FDG-PET/CT images should therefore carefully be interpreted and compared with the radiation beams, dose distribution and eventually clarified by DW-MR imaging.

• Authors: Karel Demey, Hans Van Veer, Philippe Nafteux, Christophe M Deroose, Karin Haustermans, Johan Coolen, Vincent Vandecaveye, Willy Coosemans, Eric Van Cutsem
• Journal: Acta chirurgica Belgica (Acta Chir Belg) Vol. 117 Issue 4 Pg. 250-255 (Aug 2017) ISSN: 0001-5458 [Print] England
• PMID: 27785973 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Radiopharmaceuticals
• Fluorodeoxyglucose F18

Topics

• Adenocarcinoma (radiotherapy, secondary)
• Adult
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Esophageal Neoplasms (pathology, radiotherapy)
• Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
• Hepatitis (diagnostic imaging, etiology)
• Humans
• Liver Neoplasms (diagnostic imaging, secondary)
• Male
• Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
• Radiation Injuries (diagnostic imaging)
• Radiopharmaceuticals