Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) poses a formidable diagnostic challenge, characterised by high mortality rates and an elusive primary tumour site. While Positron emission tomography (PET) scans are routinely employed in the initial evaluation of CUP patients, identifying the primary tumour remains an ongoing struggle. In light of this, the aim of this case report is to introduce a novel radiological description, termed the \'Starburst\' sign, derived from distinctive PET scan appearances associated with CUP.
METHODS: In this report, we present the case of a 47-year-old female patient who presented with abdominal symptoms. Upon investigation, extensive peritoneal disease was observed, yet the primary tumour source remained unidentified. Despite further diagnostic efforts, including a normal gastroscopy, a PET scan was able to confirm the presence of high-volume metastatic disease, without an identifiable primary tumour. Palliative treatment was initiated, but unfortunately, the patient\'s condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to her demise.
CONCLUSIONS: The \'Starburst\' sign, a unique radiological description of CUP in PET scans, has significant potential in advancing our understanding of the disease. It provides a visual analogy to a dying star, aiding comprehension of complex pathophysiology and implications of metastatic lesions. The introduction of the \'Starburst\' sign benefits patients and healthcare professionals, enhancing education, assessment, and treatment of CUP. This novel description contributes to knowledge in the field and can impact clinical management.
METHODS: In this report, we present the case of a 47-year-old female patient who presented with abdominal symptoms. Upon investigation, extensive peritoneal disease was observed, yet the primary tumour source remained unidentified. Despite further diagnostic efforts, including a normal gastroscopy, a PET scan was able to confirm the presence of high-volume metastatic disease, without an identifiable primary tumour. Palliative treatment was initiated, but unfortunately, the patient\'s condition deteriorated rapidly, leading to her demise.
CONCLUSIONS: The \'Starburst\' sign, a unique radiological description of CUP in PET scans, has significant potential in advancing our understanding of the disease. It provides a visual analogy to a dying star, aiding comprehension of complex pathophysiology and implications of metastatic lesions. The introduction of the \'Starburst\' sign benefits patients and healthcare professionals, enhancing education, assessment, and treatment of CUP. This novel description contributes to knowledge in the field and can impact clinical management.
摘要：
目的：不明原发癌（CUP）提出了巨大的诊断挑战，以高死亡率和难以捉摸的原发肿瘤部位为特征。虽然正电子发射断层扫描（PET）扫描通常用于CUP患者的初步评估，确定原发性肿瘤仍然是一个持续的斗争。鉴于此,本病例报告的目的是介绍一种新的放射学描述，被称为“星爆”标志，源自与CUP相关的独特PET扫描外观。
方法：在本报告中，我们介绍一例47岁女性患者,出现腹部症状.经调查,观察到广泛的腹膜疾病，然而，原发肿瘤来源仍不明。尽管做出了进一步的诊断努力，包括正常的胃镜检查,PET扫描能够确认存在大量转移性疾病，没有可识别的原发性肿瘤。开始姑息治疗，但不幸的是,病人的病情迅速恶化，导致她的死亡。
结论：\'Starburst\'符号，PET扫描中对CUP的独特放射学描述，在促进我们对这种疾病的理解方面具有巨大的潜力。它提供了一个垂死恒星的视觉类比，帮助理解复杂的病理生理学和转移性病变的含义。引入“Starburst”标志使患者和医疗保健专业人员受益，加强教育,评估，和CUP的治疗。这种新颖的描述有助于该领域的知识，并可以影响临床管理。
方法：在本报告中，我们介绍一例47岁女性患者,出现腹部症状.经调查,观察到广泛的腹膜疾病，然而，原发肿瘤来源仍不明。尽管做出了进一步的诊断努力，包括正常的胃镜检查,PET扫描能够确认存在大量转移性疾病，没有可识别的原发性肿瘤。开始姑息治疗，但不幸的是,病人的病情迅速恶化，导致她的死亡。
结论：\'Starburst\'符号，PET扫描中对CUP的独特放射学描述，在促进我们对这种疾病的理解方面具有巨大的潜力。它提供了一个垂死恒星的视觉类比，帮助理解复杂的病理生理学和转移性病变的含义。引入“Starburst”标志使患者和医疗保健专业人员受益，加强教育,评估，和CUP的治疗。这种新颖的描述有助于该领域的知识，并可以影响临床管理。
