FDG-PET/CT for diagnosis and follow-up of vasculitis

J Med Invest. 2007 Aug;54(3-4):345-9. doi: 10.2152/jmi.54.345.

Abstract

We report three cases of vasculitis evaluated by FDG-PET/CT. Vasculitis is defined as inflammatory changes and necrosis in the aterial wall. The patients presented with non-specific symptoms such as fever up or elevated inflammatory markers. FDG-PET/CT clearly demonstrated intense FDG uptake in vessel walls. A 72-year-old female patient with a one month history of pyrexia had abnormal laboratory data suggesting an inflammatory process. FDG-PET/CT was very useful for the diagnosis of vasculitis. Steroid therapy was introduced. Normalization of laboratory data and symptomatic improvement correlated with normalization of FDG uptake in the vessels.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Positron-Emission Tomography
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Steroids / therapeutic use
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Vasculitis / diagnostic imaging*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Fluorine Radioisotopes
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Steroids
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18