Radioiodine-Avid Paravertebral Bronchogenic Cyst Mimicking Neurofibroma: A Diagnostic Pitfall

Clin Nucl Med. 2022 Apr 1;47(4):e370-e371. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000004084.

Abstract

The whole-body postablation scan of a 38-year-old man, with history of papillary thyroid cancer, revealed a focus of intense 131I accumulation about the lower thoracic vertebrae. SPECT/CT revealing a soft tissue lesion adjacent the T9 to T10 vertebrae, which was reported as neurofibroma on the subsequently performed MRI. However, the lesion was confirmed as a bronchogenic cyst on biopsy. Respecting that unlike neurofibroma, immunohistochemistry studies have confirmed Na-I symporter expression in bronchogenic epithelium; our case highlights that, although rare, paravertebral bronchogenic cysts should be considered in differential diagnosis of radioiodine-avid paravertebral lesions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Bronchogenic Cyst* / diagnostic imaging
  • Humans
  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Male
  • Neurofibroma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Thyroid Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging

Substances

  • Iodine Radioisotopes
  • Iodine-131