Title:FDG-PET/CT for Systemic Infections
Volume: 3
Issue: 3
Author(s): Soren Hess, Nick U.M. Jakobsen, Mette B. Brondserud, Eivind A. Segtnan and Soren Schifter
Affiliation:
Keywords:
PET, PET/CT, FDG, infection, fever of unkown origin, bacteraemia, CNS.
Abstract: The use of whole-body imaging with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/
computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is increasing in systemic infectious diseases, including fever
of unknown origin (FUO), bacteraemia of unknown origin (BUO), and central nervous system infections,
since the primary aim is to guide the clinicians towards potential sites of origin for further
exploration, and a high sensitivity whole-body assessment is therefore pivotal. The literature on these
subjects remains relatively sparse, but the available data and the widespread use in daily clinical practice
seem justified in FUO and BUO, while results on CNS infections with systemic components are
more equivocal. However, more systematic, well-designed prospective studies in defined patient
populations are needed to clarify the controversies, including indications and cost effectiveness, scan parameters, and
quantification.