Matthieu Pelletier-Galarneau1,2, Terrence D Ruddy3. 1. Department of Medical Imaging, Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada. 2. Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. 3. Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, ON, K1Y 4W7, Canada. TRuddy@ottawaheart.ca.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to discuss the use of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET/CT) for diagnosis and management of patients with large-vessel vasculitis (LVV). RECENT FINDINGS: Incidence of LVV is likely underestimated, in part due to its non-specific symptoms. Nevertheless, early diagnosis of LVV is essential to initiate timely therapy in order to prevent vascular complications, such as stenoses and aneurysms. FDG PET/CT imaging has the ability to detect LVV during the acute phase, prior to edema and other vascular structural changes, with its high sensitivity for inflammatory activity. FDG PET/CT was shown to be a powerful prognostic marker by allowing identification of patients at risk of vascular complications. Additionally, preliminary data support the use of FDG PET/CT to follow therapy efficacy. FDG PET/CT allows early detection of inflammation, before morphological and irreversible vascular changes can be observed, allowing prompt diagnosis and treatment of LVV.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review aims to discuss the use of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET/CT) for diagnosis and management of patients with large-vessel vasculitis (LVV). RECENT FINDINGS: Incidence of LVV is likely underestimated, in part due to its non-specific symptoms. Nevertheless, early diagnosis of LVV is essential to initiate timely therapy in order to prevent vascular complications, such as stenoses and aneurysms. FDG PET/CT imaging has the ability to detect LVV during the acute phase, prior to edema and other vascular structural changes, with its high sensitivity for inflammatory activity. FDG PET/CT was shown to be a powerful prognostic marker by allowing identification of patients at risk of vascular complications. Additionally, preliminary data support the use of FDG PET/CT to follow therapy efficacy. FDG PET/CT allows early detection of inflammation, before morphological and irreversible vascular changes can be observed, allowing prompt diagnosis and treatment of LVV.
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