FDG-PET/MR Imaging in the Assessment of Inflammatory and Infectious Disease in Pediatric Patients.

Most published studies of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET for infection and inflammation have focused on adults, and this experience-along with more limited pediatric FDG-PET/CT experience-has guided the use of FDG-PET/MR in children and young adults. In pediatric patients, FDG-PET/MR has been used for evaluation of fever of unknown origin, suspected osteomyelitis, endocarditis or cardiac device infection, vasculitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. Compared with FDG-PET/CT, FDG-PET/MR provides better soft tissue detail and lower radiation exposure. Although FDG-PET/MR is currently underused, these advantages support broader adoption of FDG-PET/MR for evaluating inflammatory and infectious conditions in younger patients.