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Thymic hyperplasia after mRNA based Covid-19 vaccination.
Julia von Tresckow1, Bastian von Tresckow1, H Christian Reinhardt1
1Department of Hematology and Stem Cell Transplantation, West German Cancer Center, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
Positron emission tomography/computed tomography scans can show increased 18F-Fluordeoxyglucose uptake in the thymus after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination. This finding is crucial for differentiating immune responses from disease involvement in cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Radiology
Background:
- mRNA COVID-19 vaccines (BNT162B2, mRNA-1273) are known to cause reactive lymphadenopathy with increased 18F-Fluordeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake on PET/CT scans.
- Distinguishing between vaccine-induced immune responses and disease progression is critical for accurate patient management, especially in oncology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of increased thymic 18F-FDG uptake following mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.
- To highlight the importance of considering vaccination status when interpreting PET/CT findings in patients with cancer, particularly lymphoma.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a young patient with mantle cell lymphoma.
- Review of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging findings.
Main Results:
- The patient exhibited increased 18F-FDG uptake in the thymus post-mRNA vaccination.
- This thymic uptake mimicked potential disease involvement, underscoring a diagnostic challenge.
Conclusions:
- Increased thymic 18F-FDG uptake can be a manifestation of immune response after mRNA vaccination.
- Awareness of this potential imaging finding is essential to prevent misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment decisions in cancer patients.
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