Decreased cerebellar activity on FDG PET/CT secondary to diffuse idiopathic cerebellar calcification.
Cerebellar hypometabolism on FDG PET has been described in several conditions, for example, chronic alcohol abuse, antiepileptic medication use, multiple system atrophy, and cerebellar infarction. Corresponding cross-sectional examination is paramount in distinguishing possible etiologies because each condition has a relatively characteristic appearance. We present a case of an asymptomatic patient with diffuse cerebellar hypometabolism found incidentally on FDG PET/CT performed for suspected recurrence of gastric carcinoma. Accompanying CT images demonstrated calcification of the cerebellum and therefore confirmed the etiology of diffuse idiopathic cerebellar calcification. Identifying this diagnosis is critical for using the cerebellum as a standard to evaluate other brain structures.
Department of Medical Imaging, University of Arizona School of Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. mnawas@email.arizona.edu
Mohammed T
MT
Nawas
Wayne S
WS
Kubal
Phillip H
PH
Kuo
D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002526:Cerebellar Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D064847:Multimodal Imaging; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18