Hypermetabolic area (SUVmax 15.8, June 18, 2008) in the left inferior lung lobe, corresponding to a mass detected on chest x-ray (confirmed by CT of the chest).
Teaching points:
This case shows the efficacy of a high-energy gamma probe (electronically-collimated) in its ability to: a.Intra-operatively detect [18]FDG-avid lung cancer; b. Detect the difference in radioactivity accumulation in tumor and in adjacent normal tissue (thus guiding the surgeon to optimal resection of the margins); c. Perform intra-operative staging (detecting the presence/absence of occult lymph node metastases).