paywalled: Original Article Use of FDG PET/CT for investigation of febrile neutropenia: evaluation in high-risk cancer patients

Use of FDG PET/CT for investigation of febrile neutropenia: evaluation in high-risk cancer patients

Purpose  

Febrile neutropenia (FNP) is a frequent complication of cancer care and evaluation often fails to identify a cause. [¹⁸  F]FDG PET/CT has the potential to identify inflammatory and infectious foci, but its potential role as an investigation for persistent FNP has not previously been explored. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the clinical utility of FDG PET/CT in patients with cancer and severe neutropenia and five or more days of persistent fever despite antibiotic therapy.

Conclusion  

This study supports the utility of FDG PET/CT scanning in severely neutropenic patients with five or more days of fever. Further evaluation of the contribution of FDG PET/CT in the management of FNP across a range of underlying malignancies is required.