An easy and practical guide for imaging infection/inflammation by [¹⁸F]FDG PET/CT

Area of Science:

• Nuclear medicine
• Medical imaging
• Radiochemistry

Background:

• Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is a powerful imaging technique.
• [18F]FDG PET/CT is increasingly utilized for evaluating inflammatory and infective processes.
• Standardized protocols are crucial for accurate interpretation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current applications of [18F]FDG PET/CT in inflammatory and infective diseases.
• To summarize clinical indications, protocols, and interpretation guidelines.
• To identify areas requiring standardization for improved diagnostic accuracy.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of published scientific literature.
• Analysis of clinical indications, patient preparation, and image acquisition protocols.
• Evaluation of image interpretation, common pitfalls, and reporting standards for various conditions.

Main Results:

• [18F]FDG PET/CT has demonstrated utility in diagnosing cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and systemic inflammatory/infective diseases.
• Practical tables summarizing findings are provided for clinical reference.
• The review highlights the need for standardized interpretation criteria across different applications.

Conclusions:

• [18F]FDG PET/CT is valuable for inflammatory and infective conditions, but standardized interpretation criteria are often lacking.
• Multicenter clinical studies are recommended to establish uniform acquisition and interpretation protocols.
• Standardization will enhance the reliability and clinical utility of [18F]FDG PET/CT in these diseases.