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Review
. 2018 Sep 17;20(11):70.
doi: 10.1007/s11926-018-0779-4.

Differentiating Disease Flare From Infection: A Common Problem in Rheumatology. Do 18F-FDG PET/CT Scans and Novel Biomarkers Hold The Answer?

Elizabeth Mabey  1 , Andrew Rutherford  2 , James Galloway  3
Affiliations
Review

Differentiating Disease Flare From Infection: A Common Problem in Rheumatology. Do 18F-FDG PET/CT Scans and Novel Biomarkers Hold The Answer?

Elizabeth Mabey et al. Curr Rheumatol Rep. .

Abstract

Purpose of review: Fever is common within rheumatology but it is often challenging to identify its source. To do so correctly is paramount in patients with an underlying inflammatory condition receiving immunosuppressive therapy. This review article looks at the available evidence and merits of both 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) scans and new proposed biomarkers in determining the cause of fever within rheumatology.

Recent findings: 18F-FDG PET/CT scans are already an established tool in the detection and diagnosis of malignancy and are emerging for use in fever of unknown origin. More recently, they have been used to identify rheumatological causes of fever such as large vessel vasculitis and adult-onset Still's disease. Within these conditions, biomarkers such as procalcitonin and presepsin may help to differentiate endogenous from exogenous pyrogens. 18F-FDG PET/CT scanning shows promise in locating the source of pyrogens and may be superior to other conventional forms of imaging. As evidence and test availability increases, its use is likely to become commonplace in the diagnostic work-up of fever. Once a source is located, selected biomarkers may be used to confirm a cause.

Keywords: Biomarkers; Diagnostics; FUO; Fever; Iimaging; Rheumatology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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