Fusion Imaging of 18F-FDG PET and MRI Identified an Inflammatory Esophageal Diverticulum in a Patient with Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer
Abstract
A radioiodine-refractory differentiated thyroid cancer patient with rising serum thyroglobulin (Tg) levels underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT scan, which showed a hypermetabolic region in the proximal segment of esophagus, leading to ambiguity in diagnosis. MRI was immediately added, and PET/MRI fusion image localized an air-containing lesion interlinked with esophagus with enhanced T2 hyperintense mucosal signal, indicating an inflammatory esophageal diverticulum, which was subsequently verified by endoscopy. This case highlights the added value of PET/MRI image fusion in cases with inconclusive 18F-FDG PET/CT findings, requiring no additional tests and utilizing existing software, thereby minimizing the need for invasive procedures.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Esophageal Cancer Research and Treatment
Esophageal and GI Pathology
Dysphagia Assessment and Management
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Diagnostics
- Volume
- 16
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 188–188
- Publication date
- 7 January 2026
- Language
- EN