18F-FDG PET/CT in a 16-year-old patient with hydranencephaly

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Radiology
• Pediatric Oncology

Background:

• Hydranencephaly is a rare congenital neurological disorder characterized by the absence of cerebral hemispheres.
• The condition is often fatal in utero or shortly after birth.
• This case presents a rare instance of prolonged survival in an affected adolescent.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document a case of prolonged survival in a patient with hydranencephaly.
• To illustrate the utility of F-FDG PET/CT in evaluating congenital brain malformations.
• To discuss the implications for surveillance in patients with rare congenital conditions.

Main Methods:

• A 16-year-old male patient underwent surveillance F-FDG PET/CT.
• The scan was performed for monitoring of left parotid acinic cell adenocarcinoma.
• Imaging findings were analyzed to assess brain structure and metabolic activity.

Main Results:

• F-FDG PET/CT revealed absent gray matter activity in the bilateral cerebral hemispheres.
• Findings were consistent with hydranencephaly, a severe congenital brain malformation.
• The patient, diagnosed with acinic cell adenocarcinoma, demonstrated prolonged survival despite the malformation.

Conclusions:

• Hydranencephaly, though typically associated with extremely poor prognosis, can rarely allow for prolonged survival.
• F-FDG PET/CT is a valuable tool for assessing brain structure and metabolic activity in complex congenital conditions.
• This case underscores the importance of individualized patient management and surveillance, even in the presence of severe congenital anomalies.