18F-FDG PET in A Clinical Unsuspected Axillary Tuberculous Lymphadenitis Mimicking Malignancy

Isolated axillary tuberculous lymphadenitis is rare. We present a 33-year-old female who had palpable right axillary masses without remarkable clinical symptom. Ultrasound examination of breast and abdomen, mammography, and chest radiography were negative. 18FFluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) study was misinterpreted as malignant disease extensively involving right axillary and the surrounding lymph nodes, possibly metastatic occult breast cancer. Tuberculous lymphadenitis was finally proven by tissue biopsy. This potential pitfall should be kept in mind when FDG-PET images are interpreted in areas where the prevalence of granulomatous infection is high.