Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become the most prevalent liver disease worldwide. Despite its high prevalence and rising incidence, there are currently no specific targeted pharmacotherapies approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Current therapies for patients with NAFLD include lifestyle modification. Vitamin E and pioglitazone are recommended for those confirmed to have NASH. However, there are concerns about the long-term safety of both pioglitazone and vitamin E in higher doses. Metformin is essential for managing the abnormal metabolic parameters in patients with NAFLD. Glucagon-like peptide-1 analogue, sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter inhibitors, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor agonists have shown benefits in improving metabolic parameters and reducing hepatic lipid accumulation and inflammation. However, the role of these antidiabetic agents in specifically reversing NASH needs to be established. Indeed, statins have been underprescribed in patients with NASH owing to fear of hepatotoxicity despite coronary artery disease being a common cause of death in patients with NAFLD. Statins reduce the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients with NASH and dyslipidemia. However, their use specifically for treatment of NASH needs further evaluation. Optimizing the control of risk factors remains the main strategy for treatment until targeted pharmacotherapies for NASH are available.
A 21 year old male who presented with painful enlargement of both the breasts and a hyperestrogenic state, was found to harbor a heterogeneous mass arising from the right adrenal on contrast enhanced Computed Tomography abdomen. The mass was hypermetabolic with no regional, nodal or distant metastases on Fluorine-18 Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography /Computed Tomography examination. Notably, substantial tracer uptake was seen in bilateral gynecomastia. The patient underwent a right adrenalectomy with the histopathology report confirming adrenocortical carcinoma. This case demonstrates utility of FDG PET/CT in adrenocortical carcinoma. However, when interpreting FDG PET/CT as a staging tool in oncological male patients, one should consider gynecomastia as a possible cause for increased FDG uptake in the breast as it may lead to a false positive interpretation.
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