Numb Chin Syndrome: An Uncommon Presentation of Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Diagnosed by 18F-FDG PET/CT Scan

Authors

  • Achiraya Teyateeti Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700
  • Titiporn Jiranantanakorn Diagnostic Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Unit, National Cancer Institute, Bangkok
  • Ajalaya Teyateeti Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700
  • Pawana Pusuwan Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700

Keywords:

Numb chin syndrome; mandibular metastasis; F-18 FDG PET/CT scan; non-small cell lung cancer

Abstract

Objective: To present an uncommon presentation of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer at mandible causing numb chin syndrome (NCS), diagnosed by PET/CT scan.
Case presentation: A 72-year-old man presented with decreased sensation of left lower lip without motor deficit or taste alteration, so called NCS.  Work up was initially focused on benign etiology as patient had no known malignancy. However, malignancy was suspected after excluding all possible benign causes. Further investigation showed high level of adenocarcinoma markers and a lytic lesion at sacrum leading to provisional diagnosis of bone metastasis with unknown primary cancer. The subsequent fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT scan) showed a pulmonary mass, representing primary lung cancer with multiple metastatic sites, including the destructive lesion at left mandible which was a cause of NCS.
Conclusion: NCS could be an atypical presentation of malignancy. Among several investigations for NCS, PET/CT scan may rarely be used. However, PET/CT scan may provide substantial benefits, particularly for metastatic disease with unknown primary cancer.

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Published

09-03-2018

How to Cite

Teyateeti, A., Jiranantanakorn, T., Teyateeti, A., & Pusuwan, P. (2018). Numb Chin Syndrome: An Uncommon Presentation of Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Diagnosed by 18F-FDG PET/CT Scan. Siriraj Medical Journal, 70(1), 77–80. Retrieved from https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/sirirajmedj/article/view/114925

Issue

Vol. 70 No. 1 (2018): Jan-Feb

Section

Case Report

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