Positron emission tomography/computed tomography
Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), which is an
image fusion about PET and CT, can provide both anatomy structure and
function information. 18F-2-deoxy-2-fluoro-D-glucose
(18F-FDG), which can reflect glucose metabolism and
find the abnormal part, is the common tracer of PET/CT. Although18F-FDG PET/CT is commonly used in oncology fields, it
can also visualize the inflammation. Activated inflammatory cells
predominantly metabolize glucose as a source of energy. Even more, we
often use it to differentiate pulmonary TB from lung cancer. The degrees
of FDG uptake in the pericardium and the mediastinal and supraclavicular
lymph nodes are useful for differentiating acute tuberculous from
idiopathic pericarditis[51]. TBCP is frequently
associated with pulmonary TB or lymph node involvement, which can be
detected by 18F-FDG PET/CT-one of the advantage of it.
Diagnosis is made on a multifactorial analysis of clinical, imaging,
chemical, and bacteriological and serological basis, although PET/CT has
a high sensitivity but low specificity[52].
However, molecular imaging has great potential, which depends on the
development and selection of tracers. Not only diagnosis/differential
diagnosis but also the stage of the disease can be made, as well as an
evaluation of the treatment effect.