Anthracotic Right Supraclavicular Lymph Node Mimicking Metastasis on FDG-PET/CT in Endometrial Carcinosarcoma: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND/AIM: [18F]2-Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is widely used for staging endometrial carcinoma, but false-positive findings may occur due to benign conditions. Supraclavicular nodal anthracosis is rare and can mimic distant metastasis. We report a rare case of right supraclavicular nodal anthracosis in endometrial carcinosarcoma.

CASE REPORT: An 80-year-old woman with suspected endometrial malignancy underwent FDG-PET/CT, which demonstrated FDG uptake in the uterus and right supraclavicular, mediastinal, and hilar lymph nodes. Ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy of the right supraclavicular lymph node revealed extensive anthracotic pigment deposition without evidence of malignancy. The final diagnosis after surgery was endometrial carcinosarcoma, FIGO stage IIC.

CONCLUSION

Right supraclavicular nodal anthracosis may cause false-positive FDG-PET/CT findings, potentially related to lymphatic migration of carbon-laden macrophages via rare variant thoracic duct anatomy. Histologic confirmation is essential to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate disease upstaging.