Rhabdomyome multifocal et tomographie par émission de positons

Abstract

Objectives

We report the first case of a multifocal adult extracardiac rhabdomyoma discovered on positron emission tomography and provide a brief review of the literature on this entity.

Material and methods

Multifocal rhabdomyoma was discovered in a 65-year-old asymptomatic man on positron emission tomography (PET). Surgery was undertaken, allowing histological diagnosis.

Results

Adult rhabdomyoma is a rare mesenchymal tumor which generally grows slowly and is mainly localized in the head and neck area. Multifocal lesions are rare. PET (undertaken to explore a pulmonary nodule) found three fixations in the head and neck area, confirmed by tomodensitometry and MRI, without providing the diagnosis. This situation led to a surgical exploration.

Conclusion

This observation revealed that rhabdomyoma can fix the PET scan. Tomodensitometry and MRI can also specify the tumor extension to define the treatment methods. Surgery must be preserving and is indicated only in the event of symptomatic tumor.