Abstract:
Anatomy-based imaging methods are the usual imaging methods used in assessing invasive
fungal infections (IFIs). [18F]FDG PET/CT has also been used in the evaluation of IFIs. We assessed
the added value of [18F]FDG PET/CT when added to the most frequently used anatomy-based
studies in the evaluation of IFIs. The study was conducted in two University Medical Centers in
the Netherlands. Reports of [18F]FDG PET/CT and anatomy-based imaging performed within two
weeks of the [18F]FDG PET/CT scan were retrieved, and the presence and sites of IFI lesions were
documented for each procedure. We included 155 [18F]FDG PET/CT scans performed in 73 patients.
A total of 216 anatomy-based studies including 80 chest X-rays, 89 computed tomography studies,
14 magnetic resonance imaging studies, and 33 ultrasound imaging studies were studied. The
anatomy-based studies were concordant with the [18F]FDG PET/CT for 94.4% of the scans performed.
[18F]FDG PET/CT detected IFI lesions outside of the areas imaged by the anatomy-based studies
in 48.6% of the scans. In 74% of the patients, [18F]FDG PET/CT added value in the management of
the IFIs.
