PET/CT in acute and time-sensitive non-oncological conditions: Current evidence, clinical applications, and emerging...

Acute medical conditions represent a significant and heterogeneous clinical burden, often requiring rapid and accurate diagnosis to guide timely management. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), which integrates functional PET imaging with CT's anatomical detail, has expanded beyond its traditional oncologic applications and is being increasingly explored in acute or emergency settings. PET/CT, particularly with but not limited to ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose, represents a promising adjunct, offering unique pathophysiological insights that can complement conventional imaging, supporting diagnostic decision-making and patient management in select non-oncologic contexts. This review examines the evolving role of PET/CT in acute clinical scenarios, highlighting its ability to detect early metabolic or inflammatory changes that may precede structural abnormalities on conventional imaging modalities such as CT or MRI. It also highlights how further evidence is, nonetheless, still required to better define optimal clinical integration.