The application of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in inflammation and infectious disease

2-［ 18F］-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography ( 18F-FDG PET/CT) combining positron emission tomography with computed tomography is used to evaluate the body's glucose metabolic changes under different conditions. In addition to its established role in oncological imaging, 18F-FDG PET/CT has clinical utility in suspected inflammation and infection. The technique can identify the source of infection in a timely fashion ahead of morphological changes, map the extent and severity of inflammation, guide the site for tissue biopsy and assess therapy response. This article reviewed the use of 18F-FDG PET/CT in infection and inflammation, such as fever of unknown origin, sarcoidosis, vessel vasculitis, osteomyelitis, joint prosthesis or implant-related complications, human immunodeficiency virus-related infections, and other indications, such as inflammatory bowel disease, so as to provide reference for clinicians to select 18F-FDG PET/CT to help them in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory diseases.