The impact of infection and inflammation in oncologic 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging

Biomed Pharmacother. 2019 Sep:117:109168. doi: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109168. Epub 2019 Jul 1.

Abstract

Sites of infection and inflammation can be misleading in oncology PET/CT imaging because these areas commonly show 18F-FDG activity. Caution in the interpretation must be taken to avoid the misdiagnosis of malignancy. Utilization of both CT findings as well as patient history can help differentiate benign infectious and inflammatory processes from malignancy, although occasionally additional work-up may be required. This article discusses the mechanism of 18F-FDG uptake in infection and inflammation with illustrative examples.

Keywords: (18)F-FDG PET/CT; Imaging pitfalls; Infection; Inflammation.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / chemistry*
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Infections / diagnostic imaging*
  • Inflammation / diagnostic imaging*
  • Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18