Work

Fusion Imaging of 18F-FDG PET and MRI Identified an Inflammatory Esophageal Diverticulum in a Patient with Radioiodine-Refractory Differentiated Thyroid Cancer

Year: 2026

Type: article

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.

Source: Diagnostics

DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics16020188

Authors: Jiamiao Yang, Peng Zhong, Jiahuan Yang, Xusen Yang, Libo Chen

Institutions: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Medical Imaging Techniques and Applications

Subfield: Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137