Gamze Tatar1, Tevfik Fikret Çermik2, Göksel Alçın2, Ozge Erol Fenercioglu2, Ayşe İnci3, Ediz Beyhan2, Nurhan Ergül2. 1. University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Bagcılar Training and Research Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. Electronic address: gamze_tatar@hotmail.com. 2. University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. 3. University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Training and Research Hospital, Department of Infectious Disease, Istanbul, Turkey.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] is a lentevirus, primarily infects certain cells of the immune system, thereby greatly weakens the body's own defenses against diseases. This study was aimed to explore the value and significance of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the assessment of patients with HIV infection and to examine the presence of quantitative alterations in 18F-FDG uptake among patients with HIV-related infections or malignant diseases in HIV-positive patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients with HIV infection were scanned on PET/CT system. The data were registered according to immune status, antiretroviral therapy, and definitive diagnosis. All pathologic lesions and disease related areas were described, 18F-FDG uptake patterns were evaluated. Semiquantitative analysis of 18F-FDG uptake was performed and SUVmax were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients [70%] were diagnosed with HIV-related infection or malignant diseases. The sensitivity of PET/CT was shown to be 100% and the specificity 92% for concomitant diseases requiring additional treatment to antiretroviral therapy. The SUVmax and CD4 counts were not statistically different between HIV-related reactive lymphadenopathy, HIV-related malignancy, and HIV-related infections. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of distribution of nodal/extranodal uptake on 18F-FDG PET/CT may facilitate distinction between HIV-related generalized lymphadenopathies, HIV-related opportunistic infections, and malignancies. In this context, 18F-FDG PET/CT should be preferred for routine use in the management of patients infected with HIV.
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] is a lentevirus, primarily infects certain cells of the immune system, thereby greatly weakens the body's own defenses against diseases. This study was aimed to explore the value and significance of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the assessment of patients with HIV infection and to examine the presence of quantitative alterations in 18F-FDG uptake among patients with HIV-related infections or malignant diseases in HIV-positive patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients with HIV infection were scanned on PET/CT system. The data were registered according to immune status, antiretroviral therapy, and definitive diagnosis. All pathologic lesions and disease related areas were described, 18F-FDG uptake patterns were evaluated. Semiquantitative analysis of 18F-FDG uptake was performed and SUVmax were calculated. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients [70%] were diagnosed with HIV-related infection or malignant diseases. The sensitivity of PET/CT was shown to be 100% and the specificity 92% for concomitant diseases requiring additional treatment to antiretroviral therapy. The SUVmax and CD4 counts were not statistically different between HIV-related reactive lymphadenopathy, HIV-related malignancy, and HIV-related infections. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of distribution of nodal/extranodal uptake on 18F-FDG PET/CT may facilitate distinction between HIV-related generalized lymphadenopathies, HIV-related opportunistic infections, and malignancies. In this context, 18F-FDG PET/CT should be preferred for routine use in the management of patients infected with HIV.