Fluorine-18-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography studies of acute brainstem Lyme neuroborreliosis [corrected] Case report

J Neurosurg. 2005 May;102(5):927-9. doi: 10.3171/jns.2005.102.5.0927.

Abstract

The authors report on a patient suffering from acute Lyme borreliosis who underwent two consecutive [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) studies demonstrating the course of the disease. The first FDG-PET study revealed markedly increased glucose metabolism in the brainstem, matching exactly the signal abnormalities exhibited on magnetic resonance images and indicating a brainstem tumor. A second PET scan demonstrated no abnormality in this region, thus reflecting clinical remission following antibiotic therapy. Data in the present case indicate that hypermetabolic findings on FDG-PET studies in the brainstem region should be regarded with caution and that neuroborreliosis must be considered as a possible differential diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Brain Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brain Stem*
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Lyme Neuroborreliosis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Middle Aged
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18