The use of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography for the diagnosis and management of invasive mould infections

Abstract

There is limited information on the utility of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) for the diagnosis and management of invasive mould infections (IMIs). We retrospectively evaluated patients with IMIs who underwent FDG-PET in our institution (n = 13; December 1999 to April 2004), and reviewed the available literature (n = 9). In 16 non-neutropenic patients with available FDG-PET imaging studies (11 from our institution), FDG-PET revealed an occult IMI site (n = 3; 2 unidentified CNS involvement) and was helpful in guiding the duration of treatment (n = 8). Prospective evaluation of the role of FDG-PET in the work-up and management of IMIs is needed.