F-18 FDG uptake in benign esophageal disease

We describe three patients who had obstructive esophageal symptoms and conventional radiologic examinations strongly suggesting the presence of esophageal cancer. Whole-body PET scans showed variable degrees of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in the involved esophagus that supported this diagnosis. In two patients, additional intense focal uptake was apparent in the hilum, mediastinum, and the supraclavicular area, consistent with lymph node metastases. One patient had intense F-18 FDG linear uptake secondary to bacterial esophagitis in an esophageal stricture that cleared after a course of antibiotic treatment. The second patient had moderate uptake in association with a stricture in the lower one third of the esophagus that was histologically proved to be Barrett's esophagus. The third patient had mild uptake related to esophageal spasm and gastroesophageal reflux.