Pulmonary lymphangitic carcinomatosis without concurrent liver metastasis from colon cancer detected using (18)F-FDG PET/CT: A case report

RATIONALE: The infiltration of tumor cells to pulmonary lymphatic system, as known as pulmonary lymphangitis carcinomatosis (PLC), is a rare presentation of pulmonary metastases. PATIENT CONCERNS: We reported a case of a 66-year-old man after surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy for colon cancer. Two months after these therapies, the patient complained of nonproductive cough for 1 week. DIAGNOSES: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) scanning revealed increased FDG uptake along the thickened bronchovascular bundles, in bilaterally scattered ground-glass opacities and in mediastinal lymphadenopathy. The transbronchial biopsy and pathological study confirmed the diagnosis of PLC. INTERVENTIONS: Antineoplastic treatment (cetuximab) were administered after the patient was diagnosed with PLC. OUTCOMES: The patient died of respiratory failure within 3 months after the onset of his symptom. LESSONS: 18F-FDG PET/CT play an important role in identifying PLC, in selecting possible biopsy sites, and in accessing the extent of metastatic disease.