18-F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography indicating unsuspected infections in two patients with dermatomyositis

Clin Exp Dermatol. 2009 Dec;34(8):e769-71. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2230.2009.03496.x.

Abstract

Dermatomyositis is an idiopathic inflammatory myopathy that may be associated with malignancies. The technique of 18-F fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) is an important tool to investigate underlying malignancy in patients with a possible paraneoplastic syndrome. We report two consecutive patients with dermatomyositis in whom 18-F FDG-PET revealed unsuspected infections. Physicians should be aware that a positive 18-F FDG-PET is not specific for malignancy and may reveal other conditions including an infectious disorder.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abscess / diagnostic imaging*
  • Abscess / microbiology
  • Clostridioides difficile
  • Dermatomyositis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Dermatomyositis / microbiology
  • Enterobacteriaceae Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Enterocolitis, Pseudomembranous / diagnostic imaging*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / diagnostic imaging
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Morganella morganii
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Paraneoplastic Syndromes / diagnostic imaging
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Radiopharmaceuticals*
  • Whole Body Imaging

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18