pitfall of PET for evaluation of a mediastinal mass

Q: What is the pitfall of using Positron emission tomography (PET) for evaluation of a mediastinal mass? 


Answer: PET scan is frequently used along with CT and MR scan to evaluate a mediastinal mass to identify a preferred biopsy site as well as to monitor the response to treatment. But it should be kept in mind that sometimes it can mislead physicians as nonmalignant mass like teratoma or thymic cysts can have 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) accumulation. This is particularly important to keep in mind when patient is getting evaluated for malignancy somewhere else in the body.

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Reference: 

Kitami A, Sano F, Ohashi S, et al. The Usefulness of Positron-Emission Tomography Findings in the Management of Anterior Mediastinal Tumors. Ann Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2017; 23:26.