The value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in patient with neurofibromatosis type 1: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE

Neurofibromatosis type one (NF1) is characterized by cutaneous and nervous lesions, and the tendency to form plexiform neurofibromas (PNFs). PNFs may undergo malignant transformation into a malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). MPNSTs often carry an significant morbidity and mortality.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 17-year-old man with gradually increased multiple subcutaneous soft lesions. He also presented with numerous lentigines and multiple café-au-lait macules on his body.

DIAGNOSES

These were collagen neurofibroma, which were definitively diagnosed by pathology. NF1 was eventually diagnosed.

INTERVENTIONS

These lesions were abnormal uptake of radiotracer, when he underwent positron emission tomography (PET) with fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) scanning. Standard uptake value (SUV) and other parameters can help to distinguish benign and malignant lesions in patient with NF1. He was underwent serials F-FDG PET/CT examinations to followed up, in order to monitor these lesions malignant transformation.

OUTCOMES

So far, these subcutaneous soft lesions were not malignant transformation.

LESSONS

F-FDG PET/CT is being increasingly used as an imaging modality to discover the systemic lesions and to discriminate between benign and malignant plexiform neurofibromas.