Malignancy in kaolin pneumoconiosis found with F-18 FDG positron emission tomography.
Kaolin pneumoconiosis may produce radiologic findings similar to those of malignancy. Current management includes serial radiologic examination and lung sampling of suspicious parenchymal opacities and nodules to exclude associated malignancy. This may result in unnecessary pulmonary resections in patients with already compromised lung function. In a patient with known kaolin pneumoconiosis and multiple nodules, we used positron emission tomography to identify suspicious areas for malignancy that were confirmed by open lung biopsy, leading to successful lung cancer treatment.
Williams
Hadyn T
HT
Department of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine Section, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA 30912, USA. hawilliams@mail.mcg.edu
Solis
Veronica
V
Dillard
Thomas A
TA
Gossage
James R
JR
Freant
Lawrence J
LJ
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D007616:Kaolin / Q000633:toxicity*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011009:Pneumoconiosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011013:Pneumonectomy; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D007616:Kaolin