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. 2013 Apr 24:3:103.
doi: 10.3389/fonc.2013.00103. eCollection 2013.

Active Shingles Infection as Detected on (18)F-FDG PET/CT

Razi Muzaffar  1 , Mark Fesler, Medhat M Osman
Affiliations

Active Shingles Infection as Detected on (18)F-FDG PET/CT

Razi Muzaffar et al. Front Oncol. .

Abstract

We present the case of a 56-year-old male with a history of recurrent follicular lymphoma undergoing chemotherapy with multiple (18)F-FDG PET-CT studies at an outside facility. He developed a painful erythematous, pruritic rash in the left back requiring a visit to the emergency room. He was diagnosed and treated for Varicella zoster infection. He then presented to our imaging center 2 months later for a follow up (18)F-FDG PET/CT study. Imaging demonstrated a cutaneous band of increased metabolic activity in the upper back following a dermatomal distribution. This was confirmed to be in the same area as the treated Varicella zoster eruption. A subsequent follow up (18)F-FDG PET-CT scan 4 months later to confirm tumor resolution demonstrated the abnormal band of uptake in the back had resolved. This case illustrates the significance of being aware of this entity and to distinguish it from metastasis, especially in patients with a known history of malignancy.

Keywords: PET/CT; Varicella zoster; dermatome; herpes zoster; shingles.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
18FDG PET images demonstrating a dermatomal distribution of increased metabolic activity in the left upper back (arrows). These findings were consistent with active Varicella zoster infection clinically.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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