Semi-Quantitative and Quantitative [18F]FDG-PET/CT Indices for Diagnosing Large Vessel Vasculitis: A Critical Review

To confirm the diagnosis of large vessel vasculitis (LVV) with high accuracy, one of the recommended imaging techniques is [18F]Fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography ([18F]FDG-PET/CT). Visual assessment of [18F]FDG uptake in the arterial wall compared to liver uptake is the mainstay for diagnosing LVV in routine clinical practice. To date, there is no consensus on the preferred semi-quantitative or quantitative parameter for diagnosing LVV. The aim of this review is to critically update the knowledge on the available evidence of semi-quantitative and quantitative [18F]FDG uptake parameters for diagnosing LVV and to provide future directions for methodological standardization and research.

Download Full-text

FRI0262 The Role of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in the Diagnosis and Follow-Up of Large Vessel Vasculitis

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2015-eular.4237 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 74 (Suppl 2) ◽

pp. 519.2-519

Author(s):

G. Pazzola ◽

M. Casali ◽

F. Muratore ◽

N. Pipitone ◽

L. Boiardi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fdg Pet ◽

Large Vessel Vasculitis ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Pet Ct ◽

18F Fdg ◽

Fdg Pet Ct

Download Full-text

The role of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the management of large-vessel vasculitis: applications and limitations in clinical practice

Italian Journal of Medicine ◽

10.4081/itjm.2011.249 ◽

2012 ◽

pp. 249-254

Author(s):

Maria V. Mattoli ◽

Giorgio Treglia ◽

Lucia Leccisotti ◽

Alessandro Giordano

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Fdg Pet ◽

False Negative ◽

Large Vessel Vasculitis ◽

Large Vessel ◽

Metabolic Imaging ◽

Small Vessel Vasculitis ◽

Pet Ct ◽

18F Fdg ◽

Fdg Pet Ct

Introduction: 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) plays a key role in oncology, and it is now being used increasingly to diagnose, characterize, and monitor disease activity in inflammatory disorders, including vasculitis. Unfortunately, its role in the management of vasculitis is still not well-defined, and clinicians are often unsure how this metabolic imaging technique should be used in these diseases, although its usefulness in diagnosing large-vessel vasculitis has been clearly demonstrated. Materials and methods: We reviewed the literature about the use of PET/CT in the management of vasculitis in an attempt to identify the applications and the limitations of this technique in clinical practice. Results and discussion: Our literature review revealed that 18F-FDG PET/CT is a useful tool for diagnosing vasculitis (especially when the symptoms of the disease are non-specific); guiding biopsy procedures (areas with high glucose consumption); evaluating disease extension; and monitoring treatment responses. The main limitations of this method are the relatively low spatial resolution of the tomograph, which can lead to false-negative results in the presence of small-vessel vasculitis, and risk of false positive results, especially those related to the presence of atherosclerosis and to post-treatment vascular remodeling.

Download Full-text