ABSTRACT

F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is a non-invasive diagnostic imaging tool allowing to determinate the localization of increased metabolic activity. F-18 FDG has been used as an universal tool to monitor cancer patients; however infection/ inflammation has been the main problem in the diagnosis and follow up of those patients due to FDG uptake in infectious tissues. Further studies showed that the cells involved in the infection and inflammation, especially neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages, have demonstrated levels of F-18 FDG uptake. PET imaging of infection and inflammation can be used in the diagnosis of various clinical situations. Indications for F-18 FDG PET/CT imaging of infection and inflammation include sarcoidosis, peripheral bone osteomyelitis, suspected spinal infection (spondylodicitis), fever of unknown origin, evaluation of metastatic infection and of high-risk patients with bacteremia, primary evaluation of vasculitis. It is possibly helpfull in these situations: evaluation of potentially infected liver and kidney cysts in polycystic disease, suspected infection of intravascular devices, pacemakers, and catheters, AIDS-associated opportunistic infections, assessment of metabolic activity in tuberculosis lesions. Further studies are needed to better understand the potential of the F-18 FDG PET/CT in the role of diabetic foot infections, joint and vascular prosthetic infections, inflammatory bowel diseases, and endocarditis.