18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the diagnosis of a rare mycotic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta in a patient with fever of unknown origin

Matthew Q. Schmidt; Rola Altoos; Jennifer J. Kwak

doi:10.4103/wjnm.WJNM_64_20

World Journal of Nuclear Medicine, Table of Contents

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · World J Nucl Med 2021; 20(03): 305-308
DOI: 10.4103/wjnm.WJNM_64_20

Case Report

¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in the diagnosis of a rare mycotic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta in a patient with fever of unknown origin

Matthew Q. Schmidt

Department of Radiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, Maitland, FL, USA

,

Rola Altoos

¹Radiology Specialists of Florida, Nuclear Medicine Section, Maitland, FL, USA

,

Jennifer J. Kwak

Department of Radiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, Maitland, FL, USA

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a condition with high mortality that often presents a diagnostic challenge to clinicians. We present the case of a patient with FUO who was discovered to have a rare mycotic aneurysm of the thoracic aorta by ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography imaging. Mycotic aneurysm, also known as an infected aneurysm, is a highly lethal condition due to the risk of sepsis and aneurysmal rupture. While unusual to present in this manner, it is of utmost importance to promptly recognize a mycotic aneurysm as a potential diagnosis because initiation of treatment is critical in reversing the natural history of the disease.

Keywords

Aneurysm - aorta - fluorodeoxyglucose - fever of unknown origin - infection - mycotic - positron emission tomography/computed tomography

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References

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