Brown fat uptake (FDG PET-CT)

Case contributed by David Little
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Follow-up FDG PET-CT for lymphoma

Patient Data

Age: Adult
Gender: Female

FDG PET-CT

Nuclear medicine

There is extensive uptake in the neck and supraclavicular region with further uptake in the paraspinal and upper abdominal regions. The uptake corresponds to fat and is in keeping with brown fat uptake.

Case Discussion

This scan demonstrates the classic distribution of brown fat which should not be misinterpreted as pathological. 

Brown fat uptake is seen more frequently in younger patients and patients who have been cold during the uptake period. 

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