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.