title: Schwannoma of the esophagus: a case exhibiting high 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in positron emission tomography imaging.
abstract: Esophageal schwannoma is rare and it is difficult preoperatively to confirm a definitive diagnosis, even using current imaging techniques. We present a case of a benign esophageal schwannoma that was surgically excised and confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Conventional radiological studies, including barium meal, computed tomography and endoscopic examination had shown a solid submucosal tumor of the upper thoracic esophagus but had been unable to confirm the diagnosis. Positron emission tomography was carried out to evaluate the malignant potential and showed a high uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) into the tumor in both the early and delayed phase, suggesting that the tumor was a potentially malignant tumor such as a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. This is the first reported case of esophageal schwannoma that indicated a high FDG uptake. Although consensus has not been reached regarding the precise mechanism of FDG accumulation in schwannomas, we discuss our clinicopathological findings and review other studies of the subject.
authors.affiliation: Division of Digestive and General Surgery, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan. matsuki3@seagreen.ocn.ne.jp
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matsuki
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kosugi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kanda
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Komukai
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohashi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Umezu
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Mashima
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hatakeyama
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016629:Esophagectomy; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013908:Thoracotomy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18