Not All That Shines on a PET Scan Is Cancer: A Silicone-Induced Granuloma Masquerading as Malignancy

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Oncology
• Pathology

Background:

• Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) is a key imaging modality for evaluating suspicious lesions.
• However, increased radiotracer uptake on PET/CT does not always equate to malignancy.

Observation:

• A case is presented where silicone-induced granuloma mimicked malignant findings on PET/CT.
• This highlights a potential diagnostic challenge in interpreting PET/CT results.

Findings:

• Silicone injection can lead to inflammatory reactions, forming granulomas that exhibit increased fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake.
• This false-positive finding on PET/CT can complicate the differentiation between benign inflammatory conditions and actual cancer.

Implications:

• The findings underscore the importance of considering non-neoplastic causes of increased FDG uptake in PET/CT.
• Utilizing other imaging modalities and clinical context is crucial for accurate diagnosis and avoiding unnecessary interventions.
• This case emphasizes the need for a comprehensive diagnostic approach beyond initial PET/CT findings.