Distinctive FDG-PET/CT Findings in Acute Neurological Hospital Care

Abstract

A compilation of 6 distinctive 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computed tomography (CT) findings in the acute setting of neurohospital care is presented. In case 1, PET/CT allowed the final diagnosis of circumscribed ischemic infarction by demonstrating a clear pattern of luxury perfusion. In case 2, diagnosis of thalamic abscess was made, whereby PET/CT demonstrated an empty zone. Hypermetabolic enlarged hilar lymph nodes and hypermetabolic spinal lumbar roots in PET/CT led to the diagnosis of neurosarcoidosis in case 3. In case 4, a hypermetabolic brain focus in PET/CT identified the seizure focus in epilepsia partialis continua. A cerebral hemispheric hypometabolism in PET/CT in case 5 supported the diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which initially mimicked acute stroke. In case 6, PET/CT detected infective endocarditis as a source of multiple cerebral ischemic lesions. In conclusion, PET/CT can contribute importantly to find the correct diagnosis in acute neurohospital patients.