Reversal of Basal Ganglia Hypermetabolism Following Surgical Removal of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone–Producing Lung Carcinoid in a Patient of Cushing Syndrome With Unusual Presentation of Acute Psychosis

Abstract

A 34-year-old woman who presented with severe psychosis and clinical features of Cushing syndrome underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT that revealed hypermetabolic lung lesion along with predominantly increased metabolism of bilateral basal ganglia, a scintigraphic correlate of acute psychosis. The lesion was surgically excised and histopathologically proven to be adrenocorticotropic hormone–producing lung carcinoid. Posttreatment 18F-FDG PET scan showed restoration of normal brain metabolism with complete reversal of psychosis. Even though rare, one should be aware of psychosis as an initial presentation of Cushing syndrome and use of 18F-FDG PET/CT for mapping brain metabolism as shown in this case.