Epithelioid Rhabdomyosarcoma Demonstrated on 99m Tc-MDP Bone Scintigraphy and 18 F-FDG PET/CT

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Epithelioid rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare variant of rhabdomyosarcoma.
• It is characterized by epithelioid morphology.
• Rhabdomyosarcoma is a malignant mesenchymal tumor derived from cells that normally would differentiate into skeletal muscle.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a case of epithelioid rhabdomyosarcoma in the hip.
• To highlight the diagnostic utility of bone scintigraphy and PET/CT in identifying this rare tumor.

Main Methods:

• A 60-year-old woman with progressive left hip pain underwent diagnostic imaging.
• Technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate (99m Tc-MDP) bone scintigraphy was performed.
• Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18 F-FDG PET/CT) was utilized.

Main Results:

• Both bone scintigraphy and 18 F-FDG PET/CT showed intense radiotracer accumulation in the left acetabulum and pubis.
• The imaging findings indicated an osteolytic lesion.
• Pathological examination confirmed epithelioid rhabdomyosarcoma.

Conclusions:

• Epithelioid rhabdomyosarcoma can present as an osteolytic lesion in the hip.
• Nuclear imaging techniques like bone scintigraphy and PET/CT are valuable in detecting and characterizing such lesions.
• Early diagnosis through integrated imaging and pathology is crucial for patient management.