Value of 18-F-FDG PET/CT in assessment of patients with fever of unknown origin

Aim

To evaluate the value of 18F-FDG (positron emission tomography) PET/CT in assessment patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO) and to compare the findings with the results of the other investigations.

Patients and methods

This is perspective study in which 27 patients having FUO underwent 18F-FDG-PET/CT examination, using combined PET/CT with contrast enhanced CT. PET/CT findings were compared with the results of biopsies, immunology, or microbiology around the examination period & for the following 3 month duration, during which patients with negative PET/CT findings were followed also.

Results

The cause of FUO was explained according to the PET/CT findings and the other investigations in 27 patients: 6 patients with infections, 2 patients with autoimmune inflammation, 3 patients with solid malignancies, 2 patients with sarcoidosis, 6 patients with vasculitis, 5 patients with lymphoproliferative disease & 3 patients with negative findings. PET/CT findings matched the clinical diagnosis in 23 patients, 4 patients showed negative PET/CT findings (2 patients as true negative & the other 2 patients as false negative that were fatherly diagnosed as lymphoma). The examination sensitivity 95%, specificity 67%.

Conclusion

18F-FDG PET/CT can be a useful tool for scanning the whole body to suggest the FUO cause.