18F-DOPA Uptake by Stellate Ganglion on PET/CT Masquerading Medullary Thyroid Carcinoma Metastasis

Ganglia can physiologically accumulate some tracers. Here, we present a case of elevated 18 F-DOPA activity in the stellate ganglion. The patient was a 56-year-old man suspected of recurrence of medullary thyroid carcinoma. In the early phase (10 min post-injection), the stellate ganglion exhibited mild tracer avidity while disappearing in the late phase (60 min post-injection). Readers should recognize this uptake by the stellate ganglion. It may represent a potential pitfall when interpreting 18 F-DOPA PET scans.