Among these patients, positive FDG-PET/CT findings can lead to significant changes in clinical treatment and independently predict mortality, the group concluded.
In the study, 26 patients with pyrexia of unknown origin were evaluated by FDG-PET/CT to detect renal infections.
Approximately 70% of the subjects had positive FDG-PET/CT findings, with a total of 24 major infections identified through the scan, according to study presenter Dr. Sikandar Shaikh from Yashoda Hospitals in Hyderabad.
Nearly one-third of the subjects with positive FDG-PET/CT scans had their treatment changed due to the additional information. Seven patients were referred for hemodialysis during their hospital stay, six of whom had positive FDG-PET/CT results.
Positive FDG-PET/CT findings also increased the risk of mortality, the researchers noted.
