Role of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Diagnosing Fever of Unknown Origin in Intensive Care Unit: A Case Report
Yathish Gattimallanahalli, Manjunath Thimmappa, Nithya C Achaiah
Keywords :
Case report, Fever of unknown origin, Positron emission tomography/computed tomography, Tuberculosis
Citation Information :
Gattimallanahalli Y, Thimmappa M, Achaiah NC. Role of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Diagnosing Fever of Unknown Origin in Intensive Care Unit: A Case Report. 2023; 2 (2):69-71.
Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is defined as a temperature of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher with a minimum duration of 3 weeks without an established diagnosis after an intensive 1-week investigation in the hospital. A 56-year-old gentleman with ankylosing spondylitis receiving adalimumab presented with complaints of fever, pain abdomen, and loss of appetite. The patient was thoroughly investigated with a wide array of investigations, which included blood cultures, computed tomography (CT) chest and abdomen, and colonoscopy. The patient continued to have a fever without arriving at any diagnosis. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was done, which showed increased metabolic activity in both lung bases. Bronchoalveolar lavage was done, and tuberculosis (TB) GeneXpert on the sample was positive. This demonstrates that fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)—PET/CT plays a vital role in investigations of FUO and arriving at a diagnosis.
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