Pulmonary Embolism Detected by Bone Scintigraphy in a Patient With Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Clin Nucl Med. 2023 Jul 1;48(7):e356-e357. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000004680. Epub 2023 May 11.

Abstract

A 99m Tc-DPD bone scintigraphy with SPECT/CT was performed in a 64-year-old woman with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma to exclude osseous metastases. The images demonstrated central focal tracer uptake in the left lung without any visible morphological correlate in the low-dose CT scan. For further clarification, a contrast-enhanced CT scan was carried out, which revealed a subsegmental pulmonary artery embolism in the left lower lobe. Subsequently, the patient was therapeutically anticoagulated. This case highlights the importance of clarifying focal pulmonary uptake in order not to overlook concomitant diseases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cholangiocarcinoma* / complications
  • Cholangiocarcinoma* / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / complications
  • Pulmonary Embolism* / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals