PET/CT Reveals Localized Inflammation in the Temporal, Vertebral, and Lower Extremity Arteries in Giant Cell Arteritis

Abstract

18F-FDG PET/CT is increasingly being used in the diagnosis of systemic vasculitis syndromes, especially large-vessel vasculitis. We present a case of giant cell arteritis in an 84-year-old man who exhibited large-vessel lesions in the periphery but none in the trunk. This case highlights the usefulness of PET/CT for revealing localized inflammation.

Visualization of the Internal Thoracic Arteries in Giant Cell Arteritis on 18F-FDG Semiconductor PET/CT

“…FDG PET/CT is often used to assess systemic spread of inflammation in GCA patients. In GCA, the aorta, temporal artery, subclavian artery, carotid artery, vertebral artery, and jaw artery are mainly affected 1–3 . To our best knowledge, involvement of the internal thoracic artery in GCA has not been reported.…”

“…In GCA, the aorta, temporal artery, subclavian artery, carotid artery, vertebral artery, and jaw artery are mainly affected. [1][2][3] To our best knowledge, involvement of the internal thoracic artery in GCA has not been reported. The patient was scanned using the semiconductor PET/CT system with fairly high resolution.…”