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

• Main Authors: Matthew Q Schmidt, Rola Altoos, Jennifer J Kwak
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2021-01-01
• Series: World Journal of Nuclear Medicine
• Subjects: aneurysm; aorta; fluorodeoxyglucose; fever of unknown origin; infection; mycotic; positron emission tomography/computed tomography
• Online Access: http://www.wjnm.org/article.asp?issn=1450-1147;year=2021;volume=20;issue=3;spage=305;epage=308;aulast=

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.