FDG-PET/CT activity leads to the diagnosis of unsuspected TB: a retrospective study

• Published in: BMC research notes Vol. 11; no. 1; p. 464
• Main Authors: Geadas, Carolina, Acuna-Villaorduna, Carlos, Mercier, Gustavo, Kleinman, Mary B, Horsburgh, Jr, C Robert, Ellner, Jerrold J, Jacobson, Karen R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 13.07.2018; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Biomarkers; Boston; Computed tomography; CT imaging; Diagnosis; Disease; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; Glucose; HIV Infections; Humans; Imaging; Infections; Latency; Latent; Latent Tuberculosis - diagnostic imaging; Lung nodules; Lungs; Lymph nodes; Lymphatic system; Male; Medical diagnosis; Medical imaging; Medical records; Medicine; Middle Aged; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Patients; PET imaging; Positron emission tomography; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Radiopharmaceuticals; Research Note; Retrospective Studies; Risk; Risk factors; Subclinical TB; Tomography; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Tuberculosis; Biomarkers; Latent; Risk; Subclinical TB; Imaging
• ISSN: 1756-0500; 1756-0500
• DOI: 10.1186/s13104-018-3564-6

Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection leads to latent or active tuberculosis (TB). Increased uptake on F-fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) has been reported in the lungs and lymph nodes of individuals with recent infection and active TB, but not in individuals without known recent exposure or suggestive symptoms. We describe five patients with lung nodules not suspected to be due to TB in whom abnormalities on FDG-PET/CT scans ultimately were attributed to TB infection. Patient records were searched using the words "positron emission tomography/computed tomography" and 24 codes for TB between 2004 and 2013. Patients with a diagnosis of TB and a PET/CT scan were included. Clinical and radiographic data were retrieved. PET/CT images were reviewed by an experienced radiologist. FDG-PET/CT scans revealed elevated FDG-uptake in lungs of five patients subsequently diagnosed with active (n = 3) or clinically inactive (n = 2) tuberculosis. Uptake magnitude was unrelated to disease activity. These findings suggest that tuberculosis latency may include periods of percolating inflammation of uncertain relationship to future disease risk.