Rare perivascular epithelial cell tumor of the colon (18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging: A case report

Neoplasms with perivascular epithelioid cell differentiation (PEComas) are mesenchymal tumors that rarely occur in the colon. Here, we report the occurrence of a malignant PEcoma in the colon using (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT). PATIENT CONCERNS: A 55-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with abdominal pain for 10 days and a self-induced abdominal mass for 3 days. (18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging showed a large hypermetabolic nodule and mass in the right mid-upper abdomen with heterogeneous density and a further increase in metabolism on the delayed scan. DIAGNOSES: PEComa of the colon. INTERVENTIONS: Tumor resection was performed. OUTCOMES: The patient is well after 2 months of treatment, pending further follow-up. LESSONS: Malignant perivascular epithelioid cell tumors originating in the colon are extremely rare, and our report suggests that PEComa should be considered as a differential diagnosis for (18)F-FDG gastrointestinal malignancies. Additionally, (18)F-FDG PET/CT may play a key role in the staging and extent of lesions in intestinal malignancies.