A Rationale for the Use of F18-FDG PET/CT in Fever and Inflammation of Unknown Origin

Figure 2

Seventy-seven years old male—with a pacemaker since a year—presented with fatigue, coughing, 5 kg weight loss, and short episodes of sub-febrile temperatures. Initial diagnostic workup showed anaemia, and increased inflammatory markers (CRP 93 mg/L, ESR 60 mm/h); blood cultivations were negative. Chest radiography showed no abnormalities. In further search for an explanation an F18-FDG PET/CT was performed. The PET/CT showed increased uptake of F18-FDG in a large precardiac mass. Biopsy of the large precardiac mass showed a diffuse large cell B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). According to the guidelines and age-related, patient got only palliative treatment, starting with steroids.