False positive 18F-FDG PET/CT due to active varicella zoster infection in a Hodgkin’s lymphoma patient

Abstract

We report a case of Hodgkin lymphoma (classic type) referred for response assessment after two cycles of chemotherapy with ABVD regiment. The F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (F-18 FDG PET/CT) showed hypermetabolic cutaneous and subcutaneous lesions with a linear pattern in the left arm with significant F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron accumulation in associate with left axillary hypermetabolic lymph nodes. She presented with left arm pruritic rash accomplished by pain from two weeks ago. On clinical examination, painful papulovesicular rash with palpable enlarged axillary lymph node were noted. These findings were compatible with cutaneous herpes zoster infection of the left arm along with axillary reactive lymphadenopathy.