Will Infections Show Up on a PET Scan?

MRI Chandigarh
May 28
2 min read

If you’ve ever wondered whether infections can be detected using a PET scan, you’re not alone. PET scans, or Positron Emission Tomography scans, are a powerful imaging source primarily used to detect cancer, but their capabilities go beyond that. They can indeed reveal infections.

What is a PET Scan?

A PET scan, or Positron Emission Tomography scan, is a powerful medical imaging source mainly used to detect cancer, but it’s also capable of revealing other abnormalities in the body, including infections.

You might be wondering, “If I have an infection somewhere, will a PET scan pick it up?” The answer is: often, yes, but it depends on the type and location of the infection.

Why Choose a PET Scan for Infection?

In some cases, infections are hidden or in tricky locations. Traditional imaging might miss them, or symptoms might be unclear.

A PET scan can help by showing the exact location of active infection or inflammation in the body, guiding doctors on where to focus treatment, whether that’s antibiotics, surgery, or other therapies.

**Why Choose a PET Scan for Infection?**

Why Is This Important?

Because infections can look like cancer on a PET scan, doctors must carefully interpret the images. Sometimes, a bright spot on a PET scan leads to further testing to rule out infection or inflammation before confirming cancer. On the flip side, PET scans can be very helpful in identifying infections that are hard to diagnose through other means.

What Types of Infections Can Show Up?

PET scans can detect many types of infections, including:

Bacterial infections: such as abscesses or infected tissues.
Fungal infections: especially common in people with weakened immune systems.
Inflammatory conditions: like sarcoidosis or tuberculosis, which cause chronic inflammation.
Infections in hard-to-see places: such as bone infections (osteomyelitis) or infections in deep tissues.

Doctors sometimes use PET scans when the source of an infection is unclear or when they need to see if an infection has spread, especially in complicated cases.

**What Types of Infections Can Show Up?**

How Does This Work?

The PET scan uses a special radioactive sugar tracer, usually called FDG (fluorodeoxyglucose). Since active cells, like cancer cells or immune cells fighting infection, consume more sugar, they absorb more of this tracer. The PET scanner detects this radiation and creates detailed images showing where the tracer has accumulated in the body.

In the case of infections, immune cells gather and become very active in the infected area, consuming more glucose to do their work. This increased glucose usage makes the infected area appear bright on the PET scan, similar to tumors.

Final Thoughts

A PET scan can detect infections by highlighting areas with increased metabolic activity, especially when caused by active inflammation or immune response. While it’s a powerful way, it may not pinpoint all types of infections. Your doctor may combine it with other tests for a clearer diagnosis.

If you’re in Chandigarh, Mohali, or Panchkula and looking for a more affordable PET scan, visit MRI Chandigarh to book an appointment, which offers high-quality imaging services. Contact us at 8699572364.