Nucl Med Mol Imaging.  2022 Feb;56(1):63-66. 10.1007/s13139-021-00729-z.

68Ga‑PSMA‑11 Uptake in Tracheal Mucus Plug – a Potential Pitfall

• Chandekar K
• Sood A
• Kumar R
• Singh H
• Singh S

• KMID: 2526707
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1007/s13139-021-00729-z

Abstract

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT is a well-acclaimed imaging modality for prostate cancer (PCa). However, many reports have highlighted PSMA radioligand uptake in a variety of benign tumors and lesions. We report a case of PCa in which ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA-11 uptake was noted in the tracheal lumen. However, ¹⁸F-PSMA-1007 PET/CT was done on a subsequent day, which demonstrated no abnormal radiotracer uptake or morphological lesion within the tracheal lumen. This case highlights an uncommon finding of PSMA ligand uptake in a tracheal mucus plug (non-prostatic benign uptake), which may be misinterpreted as a false-positive finding.

Keyword

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA); Prostate cancer ; PET/CT; Pitfall; Mucus plug; Trachea