Detection of thyroid metastases from nasopharyngeal carcinoma with F-18 FDG PET/CT

Clinically metastases to the thyroid are rare with an autopsy series incidence ranging from 1.25% to as high as 24% in widespread malignancy. Although detection of metastasis to the thyroid gland often indicates poor prognosis, aggressive surgical and medical therapy may be effective in a small percentage of patients. In this article we describe F-18 FDG PET/CT images of metastases to the thyroid in a case of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Because anaplastic NPC metastases to the thyroid are rare, it is important to make a correct diagnosis, so that appropriate treatment may be chosen.