18F-FDG PET/CT Evaluation of Thymomas: a Pictorial Review
10.1007/s13139-021-00705-7
- Author:
Vanessa MURAD
1
;
E. Edmund KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Seoul National University Hospital, 101, Daehak-ro Jongno-gu, Seoul 03080, South Korea
- Publication Type:INTERESTING IMAGE
- From:Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
2021;55(4):186-193
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The World Health Organization classification divides thymomas according to morphology, epithelial component, and cell atypia. They are grouped into 3 large subgroups: low-risk thymomas (types A, AB, and B1), high-risk thymomas (types B2 and B3), and thymic carcinomas. Tumor subtype represents an independent prognostic factor, which determines therapeutic decision. All thymomas show some degree of 18 F-FDG uptake, which tends to increase with the grade of malignancy; this is related to glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) expression. This review collects all types of thymomas with illustrative images and provides a guide to get familiar with histological characteristics of the lesions and have them in mind because, even imaging findings can overlap among subtypes, certain characteristics can be combined to make an accurate diagnosis based on 18 F-FDG PET-CT findings.
