High (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose uptake in primary bilateral adrenal diffuse large B-cell lymphomas with nongerminal center B-cell phenotype: A case report

RATIONALE: Bilateral adrenal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, nongerminal center B-cell phenotype (non-GCB DLBCL), is an uncommon malignancy that exhibits rapid development. Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose position emission tomography/computed tomography (CT) is extremely sensitive in distinguishing highly malignant tumors from benign tumors. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a case of non-GCB DLBCL showing significantly high uptake of 18F-FDG on PET/CT examination. DIAGNOSES: Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination further confirmed that the bilateral adrenal masses were non-GCB DLBCL. INTERVENTIONS: The maximal standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of the adrenal lesion was 17.2. Abnormal 18F-FDG uptake was observed in a retroperitoneal lymph node, the SUVmax of which was 14.2. OUTCOMES: He was administered CHOP chemotherapy without rituximab due to high costs.His therapeutic effect and survival time could not be tracked due to patient privacy. LESSONS: non-GCB DLBCL is a rare malignancy.18F-FDG PET/CT examination can distinguish benign from malignant adrenal lesions based on increased FDG uptake. It is a noninvasive method to diagnose malignant adrenal tumors.