Teflon laryngeal granuloma presenting as laryngeal cancer on combined positron emission tomography and computed tomography scanning.
BACKGROUND
Positron emission tomography with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18FDG) has been increasingly used in the diagnostic investigation of patients with neoplasms of the head and neck. Positron emission tomography and computed tomography have also proven useful for surveillance of thyroid cancers that no longer concentrate radioiodine. However, certain benign or inflammatory lesions can also accumulate 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and lead to misdiagnosis.


OBJECTIVE
We review and discuss the pitfalls of using positron emission tomography and computed tomography for surveillance of thyroid cancer.


METHODS
We present the case of a 48-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a laryngeal neoplasm on integrated positron emission tomography and computed tomography scanning, after a routine ultrasound demonstrated an enlarged thyroid nodule. On physical examination, she had a laryngeal mass overlying an immobile vocal fold. The mass was biopsied and found to harbour a Teflon granuloma.


CONCLUSIONS
Positron emission tomography positive Teflon granulomas have previously been reported in the nasopharynx and vocal folds, and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients who have undergone prior surgery involving Teflon injection. It is important for otolaryngologists and radiologists to recognise potential causes of false positive positron emission tomography and computed tomography findings, including Teflon granulomas.
Ondik
M P
MP
Division of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Penn State Milton S Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033-0850, USA.
Kang
J
J
Bayerl
M G
MG
Bruno
M
M
Goldenberg
D
D
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D015745:Granuloma, Foreign-Body / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene / Q000009:adverse effects*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene