Osteonecrosis in an adolescent with non-Hodgkin lymphoma resembling a new metastatic lesion on (18)F-FDG PET/CT

Pediatr Radiol. 2010 Dec:40 Suppl 1:S27-9. doi: 10.1007/s00247-010-1827-z. Epub 2010 Sep 4.

Abstract

Osteonecrosis may result from complications in a variety of pediatric diseases and, in the early stages of healing, may be characterized by inflammation and hyperemia. While traditionally assessed by bone scintigraphy, osteonecrosis may also present upon [F-18]2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose PET/CT. Differentiation of osteonecrosis from metastatic lesions is important to ensure accurate disease staging and to avoid unnecessary imaging and biopsy. Osteonecrosis typically presents at the interface of weight-bearing joints after prolonged chemotherapy with corticosteroid administration, although prevalence is greater in adults than in children. We describe a case of unilateral osteonecrosis in the tibia of an adolescent lymphoma patient, which first presented on FDG-PET/CT imaging after 2 months of combination chemotherapy with corticosteroid administration. This report should aid in recognizing rapid-onset osteonecrosis with atypical sites of involvement in pediatric patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Bone Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Bone Neoplasms / secondary
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / complications*
  • Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / diagnosis*
  • Male
  • Osteonecrosis / diagnosis*
  • Osteonecrosis / etiology*
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18