PET/CT useful diagnostic tool for evaluating unexplained fever

USA: 18F-FDG PET/CT can be used for evaluating fevers with an unexplained origin, a recent study in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases has revealed.

This imaging technique allows for accurate localization of foci of hypermetabolism based on 18FDG uptake in glycolytically-active cells that may represent inflammation, infection, or neoplasia.

William F Wright, Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and colleagues discussed how the use of PET/CT can lead to faster diagnosis, as well as more accurate care delivery.

To determine how effective PET/CT is in evaluating unexplained fever, the researchers completed a literature review of four studies. Based on their study, they found overall sensitivity of 97.9 percent with an over-arching agreement of 78.9 percent with other diagnostic techniques.

This imaging technique allows for accurate localization of foci of hypermetabolism based on 18FDG uptake in glycolytically-active cells that may represent inflammation, infection, or neoplasia. If there occurs abnormal uptake it can help direct further investigation that may yield a final diagnosis. When there is a lack of abnormal update there is a reasonable assurance that these conditions are not present thereby helps in avoiding unnecessary additional testing.