Suture and stapler granulomas: a word of caution

• Published in: European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery Vol. 31; no. 3; pp. 563 - 565
• Main Authors: Yüksel, Mustafa, Akgül, Asli Gül, Evman, Serdar, Batirel, Hasan Fevzi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Science B.V 01.03.2007; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Granuloma, Foreign-Body - diagnostic imaging; Granuloma, Foreign-Body - etiology; Humans; Lung Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Lung Diseases - etiology; Lung Neoplasms - diagnosis; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - diagnosis; Pneumology; Pneumonectomy; Positron-Emission Tomography; Postoperative Complications - diagnostic imaging; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the heart; Sutures - adverse effects; Tumors of the respiratory system and mediastinum; Granuloma; Stapler; Lung cancer; PET; Radionuclide study; Lung disease; Respiratory disease; Cardiovascular disease; Malignant tumor; Suturation; Heart disease; Bronchus disease; Positron; Emission tomography
• ISSN: 1010-7940; 1873-734X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcts.2006.11.056

Newly detected lung nodules during the postoperative follow-up course of a patient who has underwent pulmonary resection, is frequently a diagnostic dilemma. It is crucial to determine if the tumor is a recurrent tumor, a second primary tumor or a benign lesion. Currently, positron emission tomography seems to have replaced most of the invasive diagnostic interventions. In this study, three cases with false-positive nodules interpreted as recurrent malignancy on PET scans are presented. They were eventually found out to be foreign body hyper-reaction granulomas.