FDG/PET uptake in asymptomatic multilobar Chlamydia pneumoniae pneumonia.
BACKGROUND
FDG-PET is a diagnostic imaging procedure effective in staging primary and recurrent cancer. False-positive uptake already has been described in both inflammatory and infectious respiratory diseases, although no reports associate Chlamydia pneumoniae infection to FDG uptake.


METHODS
An incidental diagnosis of asymptomatic multilobar pneumonia during screening for thyroid malignancy is reported. Three areas of pulmonary consolidation strongly positive on PET/CT scan, mimicking pulmonary malignancy were identified. Both radiologic features and serum IgM antibodies for Chlamydia pneumoniae suggested the diagnosis of an unusual presentation of a Chlamydia pneumoniae respiratory infection. Specific antibiotic therapy induced a complete resolution of the areas of pulmonary consolidation.


CONCLUSIONS
This case suggests that positive PET is not an absolute indicator for malignancy. Chlamydia pneumoniae respiratory infections can exhibit positive uptake on FDG-PET.
Bianco
Andrea
A
Chair of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy. andrea.bianco@unimol.it
Mazzarella
Gennaro
G
Rocco
Danilo
D
Gasperi
Maurizio
M
Di Marco
Roberto
R
Brunese
Luca
L
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016993:Chlamydophila pneumoniae / Q000378:metabolism*; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006042:Goiter / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000276:immunology; D007249:Inflammation; D055613:Multiple Pulmonary Nodules / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000382:microbiology; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18