C-reactive protein levels can predict positive 18F-FDG PET/CT findings that lead to management changes in patients with bacteremia

Abstract

Background/purpose: Bacteremia portends high rates of morbidity and mortality. Although 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) imaging has clinical value in assessing fever of unknown origin, its usefulness in bacteremia has not been entirely elucidated. We therefore designed the current single-center retrospective study to investigate 1) the clinical value of 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging in assessing bacteremia and 2) the association between laboratory data and imaging findings. Methods: We examined 102 patients with bacteremia who had undergone 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging. The patients’ clinical and laboratory data were reviewed and analyzed in relation to 18F-FDG PET/CT findings. Patients showing positive results underwent quantitative measurements of 18F-FDG uptake. Results: Positive 18F-FDG PET/CT findings were identified in 74 (72.5%) patients, and 40 (54.1%) underwent modified treatment or management because of the imaging results (p = 0.003). Positive 18F-FDG PET/CT findings were significantly associated with higher white blood cell (WBC) counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (p = 0.012 and 54.025 mg/L were accurate predictors of positive 18F-FDG PET/CT results. Keywords: Bacteremia, C-reactive protein, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and computed tomography