Q Fever masquerading as prostate cancer metastases - Abstract

We report a case of Q fever demonstrated on 99mTc methylene diphosphonate bone scan and fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT.

A 66-year-old man with newly diagnosed, low-grade prostate cancer presented with abdominal and bone pain. Bone scan revealed multiple lesions suspicious for prostate cancer metastases. Because of liver abnormalities on noncontrast CT, an FDG PET/CT was performed and demonstrated FDG-avid sclerotic bone lesions, infiltrative liver disease, and retroperitoneal adenopathy. This appearance, thought unusual for low-grade prostate cancer, prompted extensive clinical evaluation for several months. Liver and iliac bone biopsies showed noncaseating granulomas without neoplasia. Extensive serologic evaluation eventually demonstrated elevated Q fever titers.

Written by:
Golden MJ, Fair JR. Are you the author?
Department of Radiology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM 87131–0001, USA.

Reference: Clin Nucl Med. 2012 May;37(5):511-3.
doi: 10.1097/RLU.0b013e31823ea70a

PubMed Abstract
PMID: 22475908

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