Roberto Padoan1, Filippo Crimì2, Mara Felicetti3, Federica Padovano4, Carmelo Lacognata2, Roberto Stramare2, Emilio Quaia2, Diego Cecchin4,5, Franco Bui4, Pietro Zucchetta4, Franco Schiavon3. 1. Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy - robertopadoan.reumatologia@gmail.com. 2. Unit of Radiology, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy. 3. Unit of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy. 4. Unit of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Medicine (DIMED), University of Padua, Padua, Italy. 5. Padua Neuroscience Center, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR) in large vessels vasculitis (LVV) patients. METHODS: We performed an observational retrospective study based on our records. Images were acquired on a PET/MR scanner using [18F]FDG-PET whole body imaging. For each PET scan, a qualitative analysis and a semi-quantitative measure using the maximum of the standardized uptake value (SUV<inf>max</inf>) were performed. SUV<inf>max</inf> measurements normalized to the liver uptake were categorized using a grading scale. Vessel's wall thickness (WT) was measured at five fixed points (inferior margin of T5, T9, T12, L3, thickest area [max WT]). RESULTS: Twenty-three LVV patients were included, 56.5% giant cells arteritis, 34.8% Takayasu's arteritis and 8.7% isolated aortitis, all Caucasian, mostly females (82%). We considered 32 PET scans for the LVV group (from a minimum of one to a maximum of three scans per patient) mainly during follow-up (29/32 scans), and 23 PET scans from a control group of non-metastatic malignancies patients. We found higher SUV<inf>max</inf> compared to controls, in all sites, irrespective of clinical disease activity. Mean WT resulted higher in patients than in controls but was not correlated to SUV<inf>max</inf>. Mean WT positively correlated with age in both cohorts, inversely correlated to disease duration, while no correlation with SUV<inf>max</inf> was observed. The concordance between clinically active disease and PET hypermetabolism was poor (Cohen' κ=0.33). CONCLUSIONS: PET/MR is a safe imaging technique capable of detecting inflammation in aortic wall. Low radiological exposure of PET/MR should be considered especially in young women receiving follow-up studies.
BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR) in large vessels vasculitis (LVV) patients. METHODS: We performed an observational retrospective study based on our records. Images were acquired on a PET/MR scanner using [18F]FDG-PET whole body imaging. For each PET scan, a qualitative analysis and a semi-quantitative measure using the maximum of the standardized uptake value (SUV<inf>max</inf>) were performed. SUV<inf>max</inf> measurements normalized to the liver uptake were categorized using a grading scale. Vessel's wall thickness (WT) was measured at five fixed points (inferior margin of T5, T9, T12, L3, thickest area [max WT]). RESULTS: Twenty-three LVV patients were included, 56.5% giant cells arteritis, 34.8% Takayasu's arteritis and 8.7% isolated aortitis, all Caucasian, mostly females (82%). We considered 32 PET scans for the LVV group (from a minimum of one to a maximum of three scans per patient) mainly during follow-up (29/32 scans), and 23 PET scans from a control group of non-metastatic malignancies patients. We found higher SUV<inf>max</inf> compared to controls, in all sites, irrespective of clinical disease activity. Mean WT resulted higher in patients than in controls but was not correlated to SUV<inf>max</inf>. Mean WT positively correlated with age in both cohorts, inversely correlated to disease duration, while no correlation with SUV<inf>max</inf> was observed. The concordance between clinically active disease and PET hypermetabolism was poor (Cohen' κ=0.33). CONCLUSIONS: PET/MR is a safe imaging technique capable of detecting inflammation in aortic wall. Low radiological exposure of PET/MR should be considered especially in young women receiving follow-up studies.
Authors: Gleice Clemente; Alexandre W de Souza; Hilton Leão Filho; Fernando M A Coelho; Carlos Buchpiguel; Marcos Lima; Camila Carneiro; Rosa M R Pereira; Nadia Aikawa; Clovis A Silva; Lucia M A Campos; Gabriel Alves; Camilla Astley; Bruno Gualano; Maria Teresa Terreri Journal: Adv Rheumatol Date: 2022-07-25