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Updated: Aug 31, 2026

Implantation and Monitoring by PET/CT of an Orthotopic Model of Human Pleural Mesothelioma in Athymic Mice
Published on: December 21, 2019
Talc pleurodesis mimics pleural metastases: differentiation with positron emission tomography/computed tomography
Nirit Weiss1, Stephen B Solomon
1Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Abstract:
Talc pleurodesis is a technique used in the treatment of patients with persistent pleural effusions or pneumothorax not amenable to other treatment. These are commonly seen in patients with malignant thoracic neoplasms. Radiographic abnormalities resulting from prior talc pleurodesis could be confused with progression of the underlying neoplastic process. Positron emission tomography with F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) might be unable to distinguish between malignant and benign inflammatory processes. This report demonstrates the use of combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in a patient with a history of both malignant neoplasm and a prior talc pleurodesis. Fusion of PET and CT studies could add information that CT and PET alone cannot. This could alter the diagnostic and therapeutic course for patients with a history of both thoracic neoplasm and talc pleurodesis.
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