Artifactual Hepatic Metastasis on FDG PET/CT Secondary to Cryoablation for Adrenal Metastasis

Abstract

A 65-year-old woman with metastatic lung cancer was referred for CT-guided cryoablation of a right adrenal metastasis. For cryoablation, probes were placed into the adrenal region. FDG PET/CT 3 months later showed new activity in hepatic segment 6 initially suspected to be metastasis. Proximity of the hepatic lesion to the adrenal metastasis was a strange coincidence and prompted review of imaging from the cryoablation. CT showed the probe entered the liver, and postablation image demonstrated injury to the liver adjacent to the adrenal metastasis. Careful review of treatment history and imaging from ablation procedures are important to avoid this pitfall.