Common and Uncommon Mimics of Thoracic Malignancy on PET/CT: Part 1—Pearls and Pitfalls of Pleura and Chest Wall Entities

Abstract

Within the thorax, a myriad of entities can demonstrate increased fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) concentration; the goal of this article is to review benign pleural and chest wall entities that may mimic thoracic malignancy on positron emission tomography (PET)/CT. In addition, the article will review how clinical history, anatomic correlation, and imaging features can assist accurate identification of these thoracic malignancy mimickers. This review is divided into two parts: part 1 covers the pleura and chest wall; part 2 will cover lung parenchyma and mediastinum.