Incidental colorectal polyps in positron emission tomography

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Medical Imaging
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Fluorodeoxy glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) is a valuable tool for cancer diagnosis, staging, and recurrence surveillance.
• Its high sensitivity allows for the detection of small, potentially precancerous lesions.

Observation:

• Two patients underwent FDG PET/CT scans for cancer screening purposes.
• During these scans, unexpected adenomatous colonic polyps were incidentally identified.

Findings:

• The incidental findings of colonic polyps were subsequently confirmed through colonoscopy and biopsy.
• This highlights the capability of FDG PET/CT to detect lesions outside the primary area of investigation.

Implications:

• FDG PET/CT screening may lead to the incidental discovery of other pathologies, such as colonic polyps.
• This underscores the importance of careful review of imaging results and appropriate follow-up procedures for unexpected findings.