Role of [18F] FDG PET/CT in patients with fever of unknown origin

Objectives The aim of this study was to assess the value of [18F] FDG PET/CT in evaluation of patients with fever of unknown origin (FUO).

Methods Retrospective analysis, over a period of 1 year, of the clinical data and [18F] FDG PET/CT scans of 50 patients OF FUO, 35 males (7-82yr) and 15 females (12-55yr), was done. All the Patients had inconclusive initial investigation. Any [18F] FDG accumulation, which could not be explained by physiological distribution,was considered as abnormal.

Results Abnormal foci of [18F] FDG uptake were found in 30 patients. Out of these,22 patients were confirmed later by other investigations or clinical follow up. An infective cause was found in 13 patients(26%),neoplasm in 4 patients(8%),noninfectious inflammatory cause in 5 patients(10%).A definitive diagnosis could not be made in 2 patients within a period of six month, in 1 patient fever subsided without any intervention, 3 patients lost in follow up and 2 died within 1month of PET/CT study without any definite diagnosis. 20 patients had a normal PET/CT study.

Conclusions [18F] FDG PET/CT is a useful tool and provides important diagnostic clues not suggested by other conventional imaging modalities

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