The value of (18)F-FDG-PET/CT in identifying the cause of fever of unknown origin (FUO) and inflammation of unknown origin (IUO): data from a prospective study

Schoenau V, Vogel K, Englbrecht M, Wacker J, Schmidt D, Manger B, Kuwert T, Schett G (2017)


Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2017

Journal

DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2017-211687

Abstract

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) and inflammation of unknown origin (IUO) are diagnostically challenging conditions. Diagnosis of underlying disease may be improved by (18)F-fluorodesoxyglucose positron emission tomography ((18)F-FDG-PET).Prospective study to test diagnostic utility of (18)F-FDG-PET/CT in a large cohort of patients with FUO or IUO and to define parameters that increase the likelihood of diagnostic (18)F-FDG-PET/CT. Patients with FUO or IUO received (18)F-FDG-PET/CT scanning in addition to standard diagnostic work-up. (18)F-FDG-PET/CT results were classified as helpful or non-helpful in establishing final diagnosis. Binary logistic regression was used to identify clinical parameters associated with a diagnostic (18)F-FDG-PET/CT.240 patients were enrolled, 72 with FUO, 142 with IUO and 26 had FUO or IUO previously (exFUO/IUO). Diagnosis was established in 190 patients (79.2%). The leading diagnoses were adult-onset Still's disease (15.3%) in the FUO group, large vessel vasculitis (21.1%) and polymyalgia rheumatica (18.3%) in the IUO group and IgG4-related disease (15.4%) in the exFUO/IUO group. In 136 patients (56.7% of all patients and 71.6% of patients with a diagnosis), (18)F-FDG-PET/CT was positive and helpful in finding the diagnosis. Predictive markers for a diagnostic (18)F-FDG-PET/CT were age over 50 years (p=0.019), C-reactive protein (CRP) level over 30 mg/L (p=0.002) and absence of fever (p=0.001).(18)F-FDG-PET/CT scanning is helpful in ascertaining the correct diagnosis in more than 50% of the cases presenting with FUO and IUO. Absence of intermittent fever, higher age and elevated CRP level increase the likelihood for a diagnostic (18)F-FDG-PET/CT.

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APA:

Schoenau, V., Vogel, K., Englbrecht, M., Wacker, J., Schmidt, D., Manger, B.,... Schett, G. (2017). The value of (18)F-FDG-PET/CT in identifying the cause of fever of unknown origin (FUO) and inflammation of unknown origin (IUO): data from a prospective study. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. https://doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2017-211687

MLA:

Schoenau, Verena, et al. "The value of (18)F-FDG-PET/CT in identifying the cause of fever of unknown origin (FUO) and inflammation of unknown origin (IUO): data from a prospective study." Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2017).

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