Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients with fusariosis: initial findings of a case series review.

BACKGROUND

Fusariosis is an opportunistic fungal infection that affects mostly leukemic and hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients. Locally invasive and disseminated infection may occur. Treatment is challenging, and besides evaluation of immune status, one also needs to take into account organ involvement to predict the duration and prognosis.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to present the findings and clinical follow-up from a series of cases of Fusarium spp. infections in patients subjected to hematopoietic stem cell transplant evaluated with one or more fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) PET/CT scans, according to the source of clinical culture sample (blood or wound secretion).

RESULTS

Ten patients were included. In this series, 18F-FDG PET/CT was able to detect osteomyelitis in three patients.

CONCLUSION

Although having a small number of patients and lack of standard approach, 18F-FDG PET/CT seemed useful to discriminate uncomplicated cases of primary bloodstream infections and detect occult foci of metastatic infection in patients with positive cutaneous lesions cultures.