Visualization of Gerota Fascia Involved With Metastatic Melanoma on FDG PET/CT.

Ulaner, Gary A; Giuliano, Pete · Clin Nucl Med · 2026

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

A 67-year-old man with melanoma underwent FDG PET/CT demonstrating FDG-avid curvilinear soft tissue anterior, lateral, and posterior to the left kidney. This soft tissue structure is Gerota fascia, a fibrous sheath encasing the kidneys, adrenal glands, and adjacent fat, which protects these structures from trauma and is a barrier to the spread of hemorrhage and infection. This case demonstrates an important anatomic structure not commonly visualized on FDG PET/CT, identified here due to involvement with malignancy. Physicians interpreting FDG PET/CT should be aware of the location and function of Gerota fascia, as well as its appearance when pathologically involved.