Diagnostic Performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in Infectious and Inflammatory Diseases according to Published Meta-Analyses

PURPOSE: To date, several meta-analyses have reported data about the diagnostic performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in infectious and inflammatory diseases. This article aims to summarize the published evidence-based data about the diagnostic performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in this setting. METHODS: A comprehensive computer literature search of meta-analyses published in PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane library database from January 2009 through December 2018 and regarding the diagnostic performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in infectious and inflammatory diseases was carried out. This combination of key words was used: (i) “PET” OR “positron emission tomography” OR “FDG” OR “fluorodeoxyglucose” AND (ii) meta-analysis. Only records on inflammatory or infectious diseases were selected. RESULTS: The diagnostic performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in detecting inflammatory and infectious diseases has been summarized taking into account 36 meta-analyses published in the literature. Evidence-based data demonstrated good diagnostic performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT for several inflammatory and infectious diseases, in particular cardiovascular infectious and inflammatory diseases and some musculoskeletal infections. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence-based data about the diagnostic performance of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in infectious and inflammatory diseases are increasing, with good diagnostic performance of this imaging method for some indications. More prospective multicenter studies and cost-effective analyses are warranted.