Evaluation of therapeutic response of tuberculoma using F-18 FDG positron emission tomography.
BACKGROUND
Monitoring the response to antituberculosis (anti-TB) treatment can be difficult in patients with tuberculoma. We have retrospectively assessed the ability of F-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) to evaluate the response to anti-TB treatment in patients with tuberculoma.


METHODS
Two patients with tuberculoma underwent repeat PET scans during anti-TB treatment. Changes in maximal standard uptake value (SUV) of the tuberculoma on PET images were analyzed between 2 scans. Initial PET scans were performed before the start of anti-TB treatment (T0), and later scans were performed after completion of treatment (T1).


RESULTS
In a 57-year-old female patient with clinical TB, maximal SUV of tuberculoma on PET scan decreased from 2.6 (at T0) to an undetectable value (at T1) at an interval of 187 days. In a 60-year-old woman with biopsy-proven TB, maximal SUV of tuberculoma on PET scan decreased from 4.8 (at T0) to 1.1 (at T1) at an interval of 192 days.


CONCLUSIONS
PET scans may be useful for monitoring responses to anti-TB treatment in patients with tuberculoma.
Park
I-Nae
IN
Division of Pulmonology and Critical Care Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Songpa-Gu, Seoul, Korea.
Ryu
Jin-Sook
JS
Shim
Tae Sun
TS
D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014055:Tomography, Emission-Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014375:Tuberculoma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000995:Antitubercular Agents; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18