title: Characteristics of integrated 18F-FDG PET/CT in Pulmonary Cryptococcosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pulmonary cryptococcosis is an uncommon cause of pulmonary nodules found by (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) scans. It is rarely reported but may mislead interpretation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the (18)F-FDG PET/CT findings of pulmonary cryptococcosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The (18)F-FDG PET/CT images of seven patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The (18)F-FDG PET/CT exams showed single or multiple nodular lesions. The standardized uptake values (SUV) in early images varied significantly for the seven patients (ranging from 2.2 to 11.6). Delayed SUVs showed significant increases in four patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pulmonary cryptococcosis mimics primary or metastatic lung cancer on (18)F-FDG PET/CT scan. Tissue confirmation should be considered for any suspicious pulmonary nodules found on (18)F-FDG PET/CT scan with an SUV score higher than 2.5, in order to avoid overdiagnosis or overstaging.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pulmonary and Intensive Care Medicine, Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan. huang600517@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Chung-Jen
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Dong-Ling
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Pei-Ing
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Li-Han
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: Chia-Chuan
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Chih-Shiun
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Chiang-Ching
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Hsiu-Chin
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Tseng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008172:Lung Diseases, Fungal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18