F-18 FDG positron emission tomographic imaging in a case of ruptured breast implant: inflammation or recurrent tumor?

F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) has proved clinically useful for both malignant and inflammatory lesions. The author describes a 54-year-old woman with previously treated carcinoma of the breast. There was spontaneous rupture of a breast implant placed previously as part of a reconstruction. While being evaluated clinically, prominent axillary lymph nodes were palpated on the ipsilateral side of the recent implant rupture. An F-18 FDG PET scan demonstrated intense uptake in these nodes. Lymph node biopsy demonstrated benign inflammatory reaction and no recurrence of malignancy.