[PET/CT for diagnosis of infections]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2008 Oct 20;170(43):3404-7.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

Radiolabelled white blood cells are widely used for scintigraphic evaluation of infection. However, this technique is time-consuming and provides rather limited anatomical details. Positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-fluordeoxyglucose is gaining ground in clinical settings and the added value of combined metabolic and anatomical imaging achieved by combining PET with computed tomography (CT) to PET/CT seems particularly promising. We present the current status for the use of PET/CT in selected infectious diseases based on the limited literature available.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Infections / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Osteomyelitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Prosthesis-Related Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Spondylitis / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18