Can oral thrush (fungal infection) cause a false positive on a head and neck PET/CT scan?

Oral thrush is a candida infection in the oral cavity. Since it is a known fact that infections and inflamations light up on PET scans, I was wondering if it's possible for oral thrush to show a false positive (hot spot) on a head/neck scan.

I think you have answered your own question, in a way. Oral candidiasis is a surface infection, and does not get into systemic circulation (unless there is a serious underlying immune deficiency). As such, the candida would have little access to the circulating FDG (radioactive tracer used for PET scans) so the candida would not be the source of the false positive. Inflammation caused by the presence of the candida may increase glucose metabolism and uptake of the FDG, which would show as a hotspot on the scan. The radiologist reading the scan would notice the hotspot on the PET scan, then take a look at the CT portion of the scan to check for abnormal anatomy, such as a tumor.

When the PET scan shows a hot spot and the CT scan is negative for a tumor, the radiologist may assume that the increased metabolism is due to some other inflammatory process. In any case, any hotspot will be noted in the radiologists report, and any abnormal finding should be investigated further by the ordering physician to determine the reason of the abnormal finding (such as infection or inflammation).

Tags

　　Pheochromocytoma 　　Phenylketonuria 　　Pharynx Disorders 　　Pharynx Cancer 　　Phantom Limb 　　Pfiesteria Infections 　　PET Scans 　　Pesticides 　　Pertussis 　　Personality Disorders 　　Peritoneal Dialysis 　　Peripheral Vascular Diseases 　　Periodontal Disease

Related information

Why did only lymph nodes light up on pet scan, If its not lymphoma?

Your mom has malignant pericarditis. This emedicine article gives the possibilities of various cancers that can cause this condition. Not all cancer types show up on PET scans. Most do, but not all...

PET Scan Question?

Hi, my guess for your first question would be yes. I'm not sure how long it will take or if it's like a MRI but if your doctor offered you valium my GUESS would be yes. I too have claustr...

Can pet scan detect brain cancer?

Yes, I believe it can. They inject radioactive dye into you. If a tumor is growing, it has to eat. They inject the dye and you wait for an hour or so, and then do the scan. If any of the dye was m...

PET scan questions?

PET scans are used in various specialities in medicine but are most commonly used to see how active certain disease processes are. They actually measure the metabolism of the cells in the body and ...

What's the difference between an MRI, Pet and Cat scans?

I have had a MRI and a CAT scan. The CAT scan involved them injection me with radioactive material which later made me sick as a dog. The machine was a thin round whole, in which the scan moves...

Does a PET scan only look for problems within the brain?

A PET scan can be applied to any part of the body. However, it is used primarily in diagnosing cancer, due to the ability of the scan to easily detect metabolically active tissues such as cancerous...

HOW much pet scan is useful for my son ?

In a nutshell, PET scan wouldn't be very useful in this situation. It is used in the brain to help people who have memory disorders, tumours or seizures which may need surgery. I would have th...

Frightning pet scan is there a better less restrictive machine out there ?

Hi Yankee Here is an herb that helps you breathe. Lobelia Tincture Formulae: Lobelia seed in organic raw apple cider vinegar and pure grain alcohol. Therapeutic Action: Lobelia is on...