Contribution of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in the Differential Diagnosis of Pulmonary Hamartomas and Pulmonary Carcinoids

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate (18)fluorine-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) findings in the differential diagnosis of pulmonary carcinoids and pulmonary hamartomas. METHODS: (18)F-FDG PET/CT findings of 34 patients with pulmonary carcinoids (12 atypical, 22 typical) and 32 patients with pulmonary hamartomas were retrospectively evaluated. Both mean diameter and mean maximum standardized uptake value (SUV(max)) of hamartomas and carcinoids were compared by Mann-Whitney U and Kruskall-Wallis H tests. RESULTS: The mean longest diameter of atypical carcinoids (3.5±1.7 cm) was higher than that of hamartomas (2.1±1 cm) (p=0.038). No significant difference was found between the mean diameter of typical carcinoids and mean diameter of hamartomas (p=0.128). The mean SUV(max) of atypical carcinoids (5.97±3.7) and typical carcinoids (4.22±1.7) were higher than those of hamartomas (1.65±0.9) (p=0.002 and p=0.003, respectively). There were collapse/consolidation in 55.8%, bronchiectasis or mucoid impaction in 47%, and air trapping in 14.7% in the peripheral parenchyma of the 34 carcinoids. Collapse/consolidation was detected in a patient with endobronchial hamartoma, and other finding was not found in the parenchyma around hamartomas. CONCLUSION: The (18)F-FDG uptake of pulmonary carcinoids can vary from minimal to intense. (18)F-FDG uptake can be seen in pulmonary hamartomas. However, the mean SUV(max) of atypical carcinoids and typical carcinoids were higher compared to hamartomas. Pulmonary carcinoid must be suspected in cases with accompanying bronchial obstruction findings in the periphery of the mass.