The clinical utility of fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography for investigation of fever in immunocompromised children

Abstract

Aim: Fever in immunocompromised children presents significant challenges. We aimed to determine the clinical impact of fluorodeoxyglucosepositron emission tomography (FDG-PET) in combination with computed tomography (CT) in children with malignancy or following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation with prolonged or recurrent fever. Methods: Immunocompromised children who underwent FDG-PET/CT for investigation of prolonged or recurrent fever were identified from hospital databases. The clinical impact of the FDG-PET/CT was considered ‘high’ if it contributed to any of the following: diagnosis of a new site infection/ inflammation, change to antimicrobials or chemotherapy, or additional in..