Metastatic Infection Following Ear Piercing Detected by FDG PET/CT

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Ear piercing is a widespread cosmetic procedure.
• While generally safe, ear piercing carries a risk of infection, though systemic involvement is uncommon.
• Prompt diagnosis of localized infections is crucial to prevent systemic complications.

Observation:

• A case involving an 18-year-old female patient presented with prolonged fever and bacteremia.
• Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (FDG PET/CT) was utilized for diagnostic evaluation.
• The imaging revealed abnormal FDG uptake at the ear piercing site and in multiple organs, including the spleen, left atrium, and a deep thigh vessel.

Findings:

• The patient was diagnosed with a localized ear piercing infection.
• Evidence of multifocal FDG uptake indicated the spread of infection to distant sites.
• The findings confirmed multiple metastatic infections originating from the ear piercing site.

Implications:

• This case highlights the potential for serious systemic complications from seemingly minor procedures like ear piercing.
• FDG PET/CT can be a valuable tool in diagnosing and staging rare systemic infections.
• Increased awareness among healthcare providers regarding the risks associated with ear piercings is warranted.