Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Associated Pitfalls on F-FDG PET/CT: Reactive Follicular Hyperplasia, Kikuchi-Fujimoto Disease, Inflammation and Lymphoid Hyperplasia of the Spleen Mimicking Lymphoma.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with a variety of inflammatory processes that can affect the lymph nodes, brain, kidneys, and spleen. We present two patients with SLE in whom SLE-associated conditions complicated interpretation of F-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging of the lymph nodes and the spleen. The imaging findings mimicked lymphoma, but histopathological evaluation showed benign processes including reactive follicular hyperplasia in the lymph nodes, Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease in perisplenic lymph nodes, and inflammatory changes and lymphoid hyperplasia in the spleen.

Composite Cutaneous Lymphoma (Iatrogenic Immunodeficiency-Associated Lymphoproliferative Disorder) in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis Treated with Methotrexate: Staging and Evaluation of Response to Therapy with F-FDG PET/CT.

A 67 year old woman with a 10 year history of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treated with methotrexate and prednisone, presented with a 2 year history of worsening multiple cutaneous plaques of variable appearance. Two distinct skin lesions were biopsied to reveal a composite cutaneous lymphoma, possibly caused by long term methotrexate therapy. An [18F] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was performed to stage the malignancy, and was later repeated to evaluate response to chemotherapy, which guided subsequent management.