Elevated uptake of 18F-FDG in PET/CT imaging of a nocardial pleural nodule.
18-Fluoredeoxyglucose position emission tomography and computed tomography ((18)F-FDG PET/CT) scanning has been widely used in the assessment of malignancy. We report here an increased (18)F-FDG uptake in pleural nodules in the PET/CT scan images of a patient having recurrent fever and chest pain. Further studies with bacterial culture and histopathology of biopsy confirmed the lesions as nocardial infection. To our knowledge, it is the first report of PET /CT findings in pleural multiple irregular nodules with nocardial infection. Our study suggests that a combination of FDG-PET/CT scanning and pathological study may be considered in distinguishing uncommon benign lesions in the lung.
PET Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, China. xk905@hotmail.com
Kui
K
Zhao
Meng-Jie
MJ
Dong
Zi-Ke
ZK
Sheng
Kan-Feng
KF
Liu
Shu-Ye
SY
Yang
Zhen-Feng
ZF
Liu
Ji-Fang
JF
Sheng
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064847:Multimodal Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009617:Nocardia Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D010995:Pleural Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18