title: Pitfalls and artifacts in the interpretation of oncologic PET/CT of the chest.
abstract: PET/CT is widely used for the evaluation of patients with thoracic malignancies. Although the levels of18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake are usually high in neoplastic diseases, they can also be physiological, due to artifacts. In addition, FDG uptake can occur in benign conditions such as infectious, inflammatory, and iatrogenic lesions. Furthermore, some malignant tumors, such as adenocarcinoma in situ (formerly known as bronchoalveolar carcinoma) and carcinoid tumors, may not show FDG uptake. Here, we illustrate the main pitfalls and artifacts in the interpretation of the results of oncologic PET/CT of the chest, outlining strategies for avoiding misinterpretation.
authors.affiliation: MD, PhD, Postdoctoral work in PET/CT, Medical Coordinator of the Grupo Fleury, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gustavo de Souza Portes
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Meirelles
authors.affiliation: MD, Specialist in PET/CT, Radiologist for the Grupo Fleury, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Capobianco
authors.affiliation: Nuclear Medicine Physician for the Grupo Fleury, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marco Antônio Condé
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
keywords: Chest; Oncology; PET/CT; Pitfalls