F-18 FDG PET images for subcutaneous panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma

A 14-year-old girl, who had been suffering from intermittent fevers for 2 months, developed painful erythematous plaques on the lower extremities. Laboratory data revealed elevated C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and aspartate aminotransferase/alanine aminotransferase (AST/ALT). Blood and urine cultures were negative. CT showed hepatosplenomegaly. F-18 FDG PET revealed multiple patchy uptakes on the subcutaneous surfaces residing mainly at the lower trunk and extremities. The PET images and clinical manifestations appeared indistinguishable from those due to panniculitis while the pathology from skin biopsy demonstrated panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma. She received chemotherapy and the follow-up PET showed significant resolution of previous abnormal uptakes from the subcutaneous lesions.