Use of FDG PET/CT for investigation of febrile neutropenia: Evaluation in high-risk cancer patients

Abstract

Purpose Febrile neutropenia (FNP) is a frequent complication of cancer care and evaluation often fails to identify a cause. [18F]FDG PET/CT has the potential to identify inflammatory and infectious foci, but its potential role as an investigation for persistent FNP has not previously been explored. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the clinical utility of FDG PET/CT in patients with cancer and severe neutropenia and five or more days of persistent fever despite antibiotic therapy. Methods Adult patients with a diagnosis of an underlying malignancy and persistent FNP (temperature ≥38°C and neutrophil count <500 cells/μl for 5 days) underwent FDG PET/ CTas an adjunct to conve..