Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 13, 2026
Analysis of Lymph Node Volume by Ultra-High-Frequency Ultrasound Imaging in the Braf/Pten Genetically Engineered Mouse Model of Melanoma
Published on: September 8, 2021
Kikuchi-Fujimoto lymphadenitis imitating metastatic melanoma on positron emission tomography: a case report
Peter Urbanellis1,2, Laura Chin-Lenn2, Carolin J Teman3
1Queen's University School of Medicine, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Background:
Accurate staging is critical for decision-making for the treatment of malignant conditions. Fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG PET-CT) is a highly sensitive imaging modality for the assessment of distant metastases; however false positive results are possible due to its lower specificity with detection of other hypermetabolic pathologies.
Case Presentation:
A patient with high-risk thigh melanoma was staged with FDG PET-CT. Four ipsilateral inguinal nodes (three superficial, one deep) demonstrated intense hypermetabolic activity. Metastatic melanoma was confirmed in the largest superficial inguinal node with ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration. Histopathology demonstrated metastatic melanoma in one superficial node and histiocytic necrotizing lymphadenitis, also known as Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in five deep inguinal nodes.
Conclusion:
This case illustrates a false positive FDG PET-CT due to coincidental, synchronous melanoma and Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in the same draining lymph node basin.
