fdg-pet in Two Cases of Neurofibromatosis Type 1 and Atypical Malignancies

Abstract

Patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) are at increased risk for both benign and malignant tumours, and distinguishing the malignant potential of an individual tumour is a common clinical problem in these patients. Here, we review two cases of uncommon malignancies (Hodgkin lymphoma and mediastinal germ-cell tumour) in patients with nf1. Although 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron-emission tomography (FDG-PET) has been used to differentiate benign neurofibromas from malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours, FDG-PET characteristics for more rare tumours have been poorly described in children with NF1. Here, we report the role of PET imaging in clinical decision-making in each case. In NF1, FDG-PET might be useful in the clinical management of unusual tumour presentations and might help to provide information about the malignant potential of uncommon tumours.