Sarcoidosis Mimicking Mediastinal Lymph Node Metastases of Cervix Carcinoma: An Unusual Association

Abstract

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem chronic inflammatory condition of unknown etiology characterized by noncaseous epithelioid cell granulomas. Sarcoidosis can involve any organ but, bilateral well‐defined, the most common findings are the enlargement of the symmetric hilar and right paratracheal lymph nodes. The relationship between sarcoidosis and malignancy is poorly defined and the simultaneous coexistence of sarcoidosis and cervix carcinoma has been rarely reported, an unfortunate consequence of the presence of both entities in the same patient is the harmful probability of misdiagnosis. The case studied illustrates an unusual presentation of sarcoidosis that mimicked mediastinal and hilar lymphatic metastases of cervix carcinoma on [18F]‐Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F‐FDG) positron‐emission tomogra‐ phy (PET) combined with computed tomography (CT) realized for staging of the cancer. Through the present case, sarcoidosis should be considered when FDG‐PET/CT shows intense FDG uptake in non‐ regional swollen lymph nodes; whenever it is possible a biopsy of the suspected metastatic site should always be performed, in order to avoid excessive or inappropriate treatment.