Utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT for Suspected Infection in the Inpatient Setting: a Single Centre Retrospective Cohort Study

Retrospective cohort study of inpatients at a South Australian tertiary hospital who underwent 18F FDG-PET/CT for investigation of undifferentiated fever or inflammatory syndrome. The aim is to investigate the utility of FDG-PET/CT in the investigation of suspected infection in hospitalised adults. To establish the rate at which FDG-PET/CT contributes to a diagnosis, and how this impacts clinical management and outcomes. From this, to develop further understanding of for which patients this imaging modality contributes meaningfully to outcomes.

A retrospective cohort study of consecutive adult inpatients undergoing 18F-FDG PET/CT for suspected infection or inflammation, excluding infective endocarditis and malignancy-directed scans. Pre-PET variables include inflammatory markers, microbiological results, prior imaging findings and infectious diseases (ID) consultation. PET/CT utility will be adjudicated as diagnostic and/or associated with a change in management using a structured consensus process. Associations between pre-PET factors and clinical utility will be explored using descriptive and logistic analyses.