Acellular Dermal Matrix Mistaken as Recurrence of Malignancy Following Surgery on Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography: A Case Report

Abstract

Objectives: To report a rare clinical presentation of an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) used during lateral temporal bone resection mimicking recurrence of cancer of external auditory canal (EAC) on positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) 9 months after surgery. Methods: Case report and literature review. Results: A 71-year-old woman underwent lateral temporal bone resection 9 months earlier for management of squamous cell carcinoma of the EAC. She exhibited recurrence of the tumor on 18F-FDG PET/CT with an intense uptake value (SUVmax 12.8) at the operated site. Exploration was conducted as the location of the lesion was unfavorable to perform biopsy. However, histopathologic evaluation revealed that the lesion was the ADM implanted during surgery. Conclusions: Care should be taken when using an ADM during malignant tumor surgery if the site of surgery is not conducive for fine needle aspiration or biopsy.