FDG-PET imaging in Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia.
The authors present a case of a 26-year-old man, under investigation for Cushing syndrome, who presented acutely with a dry cough and fever. The blood tests were unremarkable apart from a moderate to severe leukopenia. Imaging tests were suggestive of an atypical pneumonia, which was proven to be Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) on cytology examination of a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). The acute lung changes were demonstrated on a whole-body F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) study. After treatment, a follow-up study showed complete resolution of these changes. The authors suggest that FDG PET may have a role to play in the diagnosis and, in particular, the monitoring of PCP in immunocompromised patients.
Win
Zarni
Z
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London, UK. zarni_win@hotmail.com
Todd
Jonathan
J
Al-Nahhas
Adil
A
D000328:Adult; D003480:Cushing Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D051598:Whole Body Imaging / Q000379:methods
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18