18F-FDG PET/CT Findings in Glandular Tularemia
A 47-year-old woman presented with fever, fatigue, night sweats and inguinal glandular swelling following a tick bite. Weeks of diagnostic uncertainty followed, and a lymph node biopsy was sent to be investigated for tularemia and pathology. An <sup>18</sup>F-FDG PET/CT scan was performed due to a suspicion of malignant lymphoma. The scan revealed high metabolic activity in the left inguinal region, which was compatible with abscesses. The diagnosis of glandular tularemia was established on a positive PCR for <i>Francisella tularensis</i> (<i>F. tularensis</i>) and positive <i>F. tularensis</i> serology. This case highlights the challenges of diagnosing tularemia and illustrates the role of imaging.
Authors
- Finn Gustafsson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2144-341X)
- Karl Keigo Rasmussen
- Kristina Thorsteinsson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4855-7049)
- Anne‐Mette Lebech (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0943-3289)
- Lasse Fjordside (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6184-2576)
Institutions
- University of Copenhagen (DK)
- Bispebjerg Hospital (DK)
- Copenhagen University Hospital (DK)
- Rigshospitalet (DK)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Diagnostics
- Published
- 2025-05-02
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15091159
- Primary Topic
- Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Gentofte Hospital
- Lundbeckfonden
- Rigshospitalet
- H. Lundbeck A/S