Granuloma Resulting from the Cervical Metallic Plate, Masquerading as Posterior Pharyngeal Wall Cancer

The anterior approach to the cervical spine surgery is associated with possible complications such as dysphagia, hoarseness and granuloma formation etc. Because of orthopedic metallic plates, the increasing or focal uptake pattern may be demonstrated in $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT scan. A 67-year-old-man came to our department, complained of dysphagia during the 4 months. He underwent cervical spine surgery three years ago. The CT and MRI findings mimicked typical posterior pharyngeal wall cancer with cervical metastasis. Furthermore, the SUV in $^{18}F$-FDG PET/CT was 10.3. But he was finally diagnosed as a granuloma resulting from the metallic cervical implants. The clinical correlation and medical history should be taken into account to avoid false-positive findings in PET/CT and to avoid many erroneous diagnostic pathways.

하인두 후벽암으로 오인된 경추 내고정 금속판 삽입 후 발생한 육아종 1예