FDG Localization in Acellular Dermal Matrix, a Potential Cause of Nonpernicious Uptake Following Breast Reconstruction Surgery

A 47-year-old woman with invasive lobular carcinoma of the left breast underwent prophylactic double mastectomy which also incidentally revealed follicular lymphoma of the right breast. Reconstruction was achieved with bilateral silicone implants and acellular dermal matrix (ADM), a biological scaffold material providing mechanical support. Twelve days thereafter, staging PET/CT demonstrated symmetric moderate FDG uptake corresponding to location of the ADM slings, suspected to reflect cellular engraftment onto the ADM and confirmed by near-complete resolution at 3-month follow-up study. FDG uptake related to ADM should be recognized as reflecting expected cellular incorporation into the matrix, rather than recurrent tumor or infection.