%0 Journal Article
%T Role of 18 F-FDG PET/CT for providing a targeted approach for etiology of PUO.
%A Khan D
%A Phulia A
%A Kumar S
%A Sarswat S
%A Kv S
%A Sagar S
%J Nucl Med Commun
%V 45
%N 8
%D 2024 Aug 1
%M 38832445
%F 1.698
%R 10.1097/MNM.0000000000001855
%X OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the potential role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) in providing a targeted approach for diagnosing the etiology of Pyrexia of Unknown Origin (PUO).
METHODS: A total of 573 PUO patients were included in this ambispective study, with a mean age of 39.40 ± 4.6 years. Patients underwent FDG PET/CT scans using dedicated hybrid scanners. PET/CT data were interpreted by experienced nuclear medicine physicians. The study analyzed the guidance provided by FDG PET/CT for appropriate biopsy sites and assessed concordance between PET/CT findings and histopathological examination.
RESULTS: Out of the 573 patients, a final diagnosis was reached for 219 patients, including malignancy, infectious causes, noninfectious inflammatory causes (NIID), and precancerous conditions. FDG PET/CT played a crucial role in guiding clinicians to appropriate biopsy sites, contributing to a higher diagnostic yield. Concordance between PET/CT findings and histopathological examination emphasized the noninvasive diagnostic potential of PET/CT in identifying underlying causes of PUO. Overall, FDG PET/CT contributed to guiding the appropriate site of biopsy or concordance of the first differential diagnosis with the final diagnosis in 50.05% of cases.
CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the valuable role of FDG PET/CT in providing a targeted approach for diagnosing PUO, showcasing its potential in guiding clinicians towards appropriate biopsy sites and improving the diagnostic yield. The findings underscore the importance of integrating FDG PET/CT into the diagnostic pathway for PUO, ultimately enhancing patient management and outcomes. Further prospective studies are necessary to validate these results and refine the integration of FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis of PUO.