An Uncommon Case of Pediatric Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma with Bone Metastases and Enchondromas Evaluated Using 18F-FDG PET/CT

Abstract

Nowadays, the utility of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is well established in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The incidence of NPC in the West population, especially in children, is very low. We present the first Italian case of a pediatric patient with NPC followed up with18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT scan in addition to the standard follow-up imaging methods, including CT and magnetic resonance imaging. The18F-FDG PET/CT scan was helpful in discriminating between metastatic and benign osseous lesions, thereby helping clinicians to determine the most appropriate therapeutic regimen. These findings support the clinical utility of18F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnostic work-up of pediatric patients with NPC.