Increased fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose uptake on positron emission tomography-computed tomography postbronchoalveolar lavage: a potential cause of radiologic misinterpretation

J Thorac Imaging. 2011 Aug;26(3):W89-91. doi: 10.1097/RTI.0b013e3181e35ae3.

Abstract

Cytologic analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid is used for lung cancer diagnosis. We describe a patient with a history of rectal carcinoma who presented with a new lung mass. BAL was performed, with positron emission tomography-computed tomography the following day. There was mildly increased fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose uptake in areas of the lung parenchyma with new ground-glass opacification. This created ambiguity in staging, clarified 2 weeks later by a computed tomography showing complete resolution of the ground-glass opacity. Clinicians should be aware that BAL may cause increased pulmonary fluoro-deoxy-D-glucose uptake, making accurate radiologic interpretation problematic. We suggest that to optimize positron emission tomography-computed tomography, studies should not be performed within 24 hours of BAL.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Diagnostic Errors*
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / metabolism*
  • Glucose / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Positron-Emission Tomography*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals / metabolism
  • Time Factors
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Glucose