Epstein-Barr virus mimicking lymphoma on FDG-PET/CT.

We report the case of a 17-year-old girl who presented with a several month history of fevers and abdominal pain. After cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) titers returned normal, FDG-PET/CT was obtained due to concern for lymphoma. FDG-PET/CT revealed a pattern of hypermetabolic activity in the adenoids, bilateral cervical lymph nodes, abdominal lymph nodes, and spleen, highly concerning for lymphoma. However, subsequent biopsy of a cervical lymph node revealed lymphadenitis consistent with EBV. This case highlights infection as the most well-known false-positive cause on FDG-PET, and how biopsy is essential to definitively distinguish malignancy from infection.