Detection of Recurrent Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma With PET-CT

We report the case of a 33-year-old man, diagnosed and treated with surgery and radiation therapy 12 years earlier for adenoid cystic carcinoma of the left parotid gland, who presented with shooting pain in the left neck and a minimally enlarged palpable nodule near the angle of the jaw. Contrast CT was performed and no areas of enhancement were identified to suggest recurrent tumor. F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-CT performed on the same day demonstrated abnormal FDG uptake, consistent with local tumor recurrence. Fine needle aspiration of the palpable nodule was performed and confirmed recurrent adenoid cystic carcinoma. PET-CT appears to constitute a sensitive method of detecting tumor recurrence in patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma.