Brain Nocardiosis Defined by 18 F-Fluorocholine PET/CT.

García Vicente, Ana María; Noriega Álvarez, Edel; González Rodríguez, Jose Carlos; Soriano Castrejón, Ángel María · Clin Nucl Med · 2023

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

Nocardia infection (nocardiosis) is usually acquired by inhalation; so pulmonary nocardiosis is the most common clinical presentation. Extrapulmonary localization occurs through hematogenous dissemination or contiguous spread. Nocardia can involve the central nervous system in a very reduced number of patients, mainly in immunocompromised. We present a case of a 56-year-old woman with a history of aggressive systemic mastocytosis, treated with chemotherapy 1 year ago. Patient reported intense headache, disorientation, and blurry vision without other symptoms being diagnosed with a rare brain nocardiosis by Nocardia cerradoensis . Neither bacteremia nor pulmonary involvement was detected. Brain PET/CT illustrated 18 F-fluorocholine avidity on brain abscesses.

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