[F-18]-FDG uptake in soft tissue dermatome prior to herpes zoster eruption: An unusual pitfall

Authors report on a case of [F-18]-fluorodeoxyglucose ([F-18]-FDG) uptake i n the soft tissue of a patient referred for [F-18]-FDG coincidence detectio n emission tomography (CDET) in a search for recurrence of colorectal cance r. A herpes zoster eruption occurred in the same site within two days, but was spontaneously resolved. To the best of our knowledge this is the first description of a false positive [F-18]-FDG result in relation to a viral in fection of soft tissue. It shows that interpretation of subcutaneous foci h as to be cautious in patients with or without a past history of herpes zost er even in pain-free areas and prior to skin eruption.