Pituitary adenomas can appear as hypermetabolic lesions in (18) F-FDG PET imaging.

OBJECTIVE: The 2-deoxy-2-[(18) F] fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan is commonly used in detection and staging of many malignant neoplasms. However, several benign or non-neoplastic conditions avidly accumulate (18) F-FDG, causing ambiguity in interpretation of results. It is unknown whether pituitary adenomas uptake (18) F-FDG and appear positive in PET imaging. Here, we present 2 cases of benign pituitary adenoma with elevated metabolic activity in (18) F-FDG PET scan. METHODS: Medical, neurologic, and psychiatric histories; physical examination findings; laboratory work up results; and pathologic and imaging studies were documented. RESULTS: The (18) F-FDG-PET images revealed foci of marked FDG uptake in pituitary adenomas of 2 patients. CONCLUSION: Pituitary micro- and macro-adenomas may present as hypermetabolic foci on (18) F-FDG PET scan.