Positron emisson tomography (PET) is a noninvasive and highly accurate method for
identifying malignant tumors. In our practice we have chosen a Standard Uptake Value
(SUV) of 3.5 to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions. We describe a patient
with a paravertebral mass which on PET scanning showed a SUV of 7, thereby clearly
being identified as a malignant tumor. Subsequent open biopsy of the lesion, however,
revealed benign connective tissue.
PET scan - Standard uptake value - False positive result
