The Great Mimicker—Tuberculosis Involving Prostate and Vertebrae Posing as Metastatic Prostate Carcinoma on FDG PET/CT

A 65-year-old man underwent FDG PET/CT for evaluation of vertebral lesions, radiologically suspected to be metastases. The scan showed hypermetabolism in D8 to D9 vertebrae, retroperitoneal lymph nodes, and both the lobes of prostate. Transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy of prostate was performed with suspicion of prostate malignancy. The biopsy revealed caseating granulomatous lesions in prostate suggestive of tuberculosis. Post antitubercular treatment patient showed excellent clinical response. Possibility of infective pathologies mimicking malignancy should be kept in mind while evaluating hypermetabolic foci seen on PET/CT. Although rare, tuberculosis of prostate needs consideration in differential diagnosis of FDG-avid foci seen in prostate.
Source: Clinical Nuclear Medicine - Category: Nuclear Medicine Tags: Interesting Images Source Type: research