FDG Uptake Caused by Right Varicocele

Area of Science:

• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiology
• Urology

Background:

• 18F-FDG PET/CT is a crucial imaging modality for cancer staging.
• Incidental findings on PET/CT scans require careful interpretation.
• Varicocele is a common condition affecting the venous system of the scrotum.

Observation:

• A 67-year-old male patient presented for lung cancer staging using 18F-FDG PET/CT.
• The PET/CT scan demonstrated unusual strip-shaped 18F-FDG uptake in the right inguinal region.
• This finding was not directly related to the primary oncological indication.

Findings:

• The observed abnormal uptake on PET/CT was confirmed by ultrasound as a right varicocele.
• This highlights the potential for PET/CT to detect non-oncological abnormalities.
• The varicocele was an incidental finding during the staging procedure.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of recognizing incidental findings in PET/CT imaging.
• It suggests that PET/CT may have a role in identifying urological conditions like varicocele.
• Radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians should be aware of this potential association.