Hypoglossal nerve paralysis results in hypermetabolic activity on positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the contralateral tongue.

False-positive results on combined positron emission tomography/computed tomography can complicate detection and surveillance of head and neck cancers. We present a rare case of false-positive contralateral [18F]-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose tongue uptake after hypoglossal nerve paralysis caused by squamous cell carcinoma originating from the base of the tongue.