[Ruchi]

Can a sinus infection show up on a PET-CT scan?

by Ruchi on Mon Jul 09, 2018 1:10 am

My mother had a PET scan last week and her results state that she has an FDG avid lytic lesion in the floor of the left maxillary sinus (SUV max 5.6) and left 1st rib anteriorly (SUV max 6.4).

Her doctor thinks that the FDG uptake must have shown on the left maxillary sinus due to some kind of infection and not myeloma activity. He has put her on antibiotics for a week.

Is it possible that a sinus infection shows up on a PET scan?

Thanks,
Ruchi

[Multibilly]

Re: Can a sinus infection show up on a PET-CT scan?

by Multibilly on Mon Jul 09, 2018 9:27 am

Yes. PET/CTs simply pick up on hypermetabolic activity of cells. Cancer, along with inflammation or infection, can create patches of increased cellular metabolic activity that will be highlighted on a PET/CT scan. While I'm not a doctor, it seems like a good idea to try antibiotics and then repeat the PET/CT.

[Ruchi]

Re: Can a sinus infection show up on a PET-CT scan?

by Ruchi on Mon Jul 09, 2018 1:36 pm

Thanks Multibilly. It feels good to know that sinus infection might be a possibility. Not sure if the doctor is going to repeat the PET-CT, as he was very confident that it was a sinus infection. For her rib lesion also he mentioned that it will heal on its own and it doesn't need to be radiated. She is currently on Velcade, dexamethasone, and pomalidomide (Pomalyst, Imnovid) (2 mg).

Thanks again,
Ruchi

[Rhonda]

Re: Can a sinus infection show up on a PET-CT scan?

by Rhonda on Mon Jul 09, 2018 8:56 pm

Hi Ruchi

I recently had my annual pet-ct scan and they found a mildly increased uptake in my lung. In the impression portion of the findings it mentioned possible pneumonia vs neoplasm. The odd part was I felt fine. It also found maxillary sinus mucosal thickening. My oncologist decided to treat me with an antibiotic and wait 6 weeks and have a Chest CT scan w/o contrast. The good news is it was an infection because it improved. My sinuses don't feel as heavy either.

You may want to request a follow up CT scan specifically for the sinus area just for the peace of mind. It definitely helped mine.

Best of luck to your mom.

Rhonda

[Ruchi]

Re: Can a sinus infection show up on a PET-CT scan?

by Ruchi on Wed Jul 11, 2018 5:11 pm

Thanks, Rhonda. That seems like a good idea to go for CT scan for that particular area. I can suggest that to her doctor and see what he says. My mother was also feeling well and didn't seem like she had any sinus infection. That's the reason I was concerned and wanted to make sure it wasn't related to myeloma.

Thanks again,
Ruchi

[JWOE43]

Re: Can a sinus infection show up on a PET-CT scan?

by JWOE43 on Wed Jul 18, 2018 8:35 am

I agree, I have a PET scan every 3 months, and had the same thing show up in my right maxillary. I talked with my oncologist about the results, was given an antibiotic, and the next scan was clear.

I hope and pray that is the same for her as well!