Extra Cardiac Uptake of Technetium-99m Sestamibi that Led to the Diagnosis of Thymoma

Authors

  • Leena K. Aziz College of Letters and Science, University of California, Los Angeles, USA
  • Kusai S. Aziz, MD, FACC Visalia Cardiovascular Medical Center, Inc., Visalia, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3941/jrcr.5613

Abstract

The thymus is an important gland for the development of T cells.  Thymic tumors are very rare. A 60 year old lady presented with chest pains and was found to have extra cardiac findings on the raw images (the rotatogram) of the myocardial perfusion scan that led to the diagnosis of thymoma which was surgically removed.   It has been shown in different case reports that cancer was diagnosed based on extra cardiac activity from myocardial perfusion scans.  Our study demonstrates that the review of rotatograms should be done carefully and consistently with every nuclear cardiology case with the reporting of any extra cardiac activity which can lead to the diagnosis of tumors including malignant ones.  Findings should be communicated clearly with the patient and their referring physicians.

60 years old female with chest pain that led to the diagnosis of thymoma. SPECT myocardial perfusion scans were normal

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Published

2025-09-30

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 9 (2025)

Section

Nuclear Medicine / Molecular Imaging

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Radiology Case Reports

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