Generalized lymphadenopathy and 18-fluorine fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography: targeting diagnostic intervention, characterizing disease extent, and assessing treatment efficacy in syphilis

Sex Transm Dis. 2015 Feb;42(2):68-70. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000000237.

Abstract

18-Fluorine fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has been shown to have use in the diagnosis of inflammatory and infectious diseases in addition to its primary use in cancer. We describe a case of early neurosyphilis that initially presented as symmetric, generalized lymphadenopathy on PET/CT. We conclude that PET/CT may play a role in evaluating targeted diagnostic interventions, disease extent, and treatment efficacy for disseminated syphilis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / administration & dosage
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intraocular
  • Lymphadenitis / complications
  • Lymphadenitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neurosyphilis / complications
  • Neurosyphilis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Penicillin G / administration & dosage
  • Positron-Emission Tomography* / methods
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vision, Low / diagnostic imaging*
  • Vision, Low / drug therapy
  • Vision, Low / etiology
  • Whole Body Imaging

Substances

  • Adrenal Cortex Hormones
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Penicillin G