Characteristics of integrated 18F-FDG PET/CT in Pulmonary Cryptococcosis.
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.
Huang
Chung-Jen
CJ
Division of Pulmonary and Intensive Care Medicine, Koo Foundation Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center, Taipei, Taiwan. huang600517@yahoo.com
You
Dong-Ling
DL
Lee
Pei-Ing
PI
Hsu
Li-Han
LH
Liu
Chia-Chuan
CC
Shih
Chih-Shiun
CS
Shih
Chiang-Ching
CC
Tseng
Hsiu-Chin
HC
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
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18