Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computed tomography findings in a pediatric mucoepidermoid carcinoma and differential diagnosis.

An 11 years old boy was referred to our hospital. He complained for the last three months for intermittent cough and shortness of breath after exercise which worsened recently. Airways computed tomography (CT) showed an abnormal endobronchial tumor, obstructing the right main bronchus and also atelectasis in the upper lobe of the right lung. Bronchoscopy showed a wet on its surface mass obstructing the right main bronchus. Biopsy showed a mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC). The fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) scan showed in the same area a mass with slightly increased F-FDG uptake (maximum standardized uptake value, SUVmax: 3.8), without mediastinal lymph nodes involvement. The boy had thoracoscopic resection of the right upper lobe, right main bronchus and right inferior lobe bronchial sleeve anastomosis. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a low to intermediate grade malignant MEC without lymph nodes metastases. The patient has been well and free from recurrence for 2 years postoperatively.