Acute Findings on FDG PET/CT: Key Imaging Features and How to Differentiate Them from Malignancy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review acute findings commonly encountered during routine clinical FDG PET/CT studies and present key imaging features to differentiate them from malignant counterparts. RECENT FINDINGS: FDG PET/CT is extensively used in routine clinical practice for oncology patients. Incidental acute findings in patients undergoing FDG PET/CT are increasingly common, and awareness of these findings and their mimics are important in delivering a clinically relevant and accurate radiological report for directing further management. SUMMARY: This article will review examples of common acute findings encountered during routine FDG PET/CT scans, compare them against examples of FDG-avid malignancy that can mimic these findings and emphasize key imaging findings to differentiate acute findings from their malignant mimics.