title: Case report: Positron emission tomography fails to detect pulmonary adenocarcinoma recurrence after radiofrequency ablation.
abstract: We describe the case of late recurrence of a focus of invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (formerly mucinous bronchioloalveolar carcinoma) following radiofrequency ablation, despite a negative positron emission tomography/computed tomography scan at 13 months following the ablation. A computed tomography scan performed at 24 months demonstrated unequivocal recurrence of the lesion. Combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography has been described as an adequate modality for the follow-up of thermally ablated pulmonary lesions. However, its utility in the follow-up of well-differentiated pulmonary adenocarcinoma may be limited. Lesion activity may be underestimated by an inherently low metabolic activity. Small lesions may also be susceptible to partial volume effect. Long-term imaging follow-up of well-differentiated pulmonary adenocarcinoma beyond two years after thermal ablation is prudent to avoid missing late recurrence.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Cara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Odenthal
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Imaging, Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Herston, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Steinke
mesh_terms: D002288:Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D017115:Catheter Ablation / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: BAC; Invasive Mucinous Adenocarcinoma; Microwave ablation; PET; Pulmonary adenocarcinoma; Radiofrequency ablation; Recurrence