| The Role of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in the Treatment of Brain Abscess. |
| Seong Hyun Park, Sang Woo Lee, Dong Hun Kang, Jeong Hyun Hwang, Joo Kyung Sung, Sung Kyoo Hwang |
1Department of Neurosurgery, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea. nsdoctor@naver.com
2Department of Nuclear Medicine, Kyungpook National University Hospital, Daegu, Korea. |
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| ABSTRACT |
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) can be used to assess the therapeutic response of brain abscess.
METHODS
A study was conducted on 10 consecutive patients with brain abscess. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with diffuse-weighted imaging (DWI) was performed at 3 and 6 weeks after surgical treatment and intravenous antibiotics therapy and FDG-PET at 6 weeks after treatment. The extent of the abscess, signal changes on MRI, and FDG-PET standardized uptake values were analyzed and correlated with the response to therapy.
RESULTS
Aspiration or craniotomy with excision of the abscess followed by intravenous antibiotics for 6-8 weeks resulted in good recovery with no recurrence. In 10 patients, two had low signal intensity on the DWI; one had no uptake on FDG-PET imaging after 6 weeks antibiotics and discontinued intravenous treatment, but the other patient had diffuse, increased uptake on FDG-PET imaging after 6 weeks antibiotics and underwent an additional 2 weeks of intravenous antibiotics. The remaining eight patients had high signals on the DWI. Four had no uptake on FDG-PET imaging and the treatment period varied from 6 to 8 weeks (mean, 6.75 weeks). Among the other four patients, FDG was accumulated in a diffuse or local area corresponding to a high signal area within the DWI and 2 weeks of intravenous antibiotics was added.
CONCLUSION
MRI plus FDG-PET improved the accuracy of assessing therapeutic responses to antibiotics treatment of brain abscess and aided in optimizing therapy. |
| Key Words:
Brain abscess; 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Diffusion-weighted imaging; Antibiotics |
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