Background: Pulmonary cryptococcosis is an uncommon cause of pulmonary nodules found by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) scans. It is rarely reported but may mislead interpretation.
Purpose: To describe the 18F-FDG PET/CT findings of pulmonary cryptococcosis.
Material and Methods: The 18F-FDG PET/CT images of seven patients with pulmonary cryptococcosis were evaluated.
Results: The 18F-FDG PET/CT exams showed single or multiple nodular lesions. The standardized uptake values (SUV) in early images varied significantly for the seven patients (ranging from 2.2 to 11.6). Delayed SUVs showed significant increases in four patients.
Conclusion: Pulmonary cryptococcosis mimics primary or metastatic lung cancer on 18F-FDG PET/CT scan. Tissue confirmation should be considered for any suspicious pulmonary nodules found on 18F-FDG PET/CT scan with an SUV score higher than 2.5, in order to avoid overdiagnosis or overstaging.
