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Diagnosis

 

18-FDG PET for large vessel vasculitis diagnosis and follow-up

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

 

  1. Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.
  2. Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.
  3. Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Fondazione "Gabriele Monasterio" CNR/Regione Toscana, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.
  4. Nuclear Medicine Department of Translational Research and Advanced Technology, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.
  5. Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Fondazione "Gabriele Monasterio" CNR/Regione Toscana, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.
  6. Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Fondazione "Gabriele Monasterio" CNR/Regione Toscana, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.
  7. Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine Unit, Fondazione "Gabriele Monasterio" CNR/Regione Toscana, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.
  8. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.
  9. Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.
  10. Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy.
  11. Clinical Immunology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana, Pisa, Italy. a.tavoni@med.unipi.it

CER13356
2021 Vol.39, N°2 ,Suppl.129
PI 0076, PF 0082
Diagnosis

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PMID: 33337989 [PubMed]

Received: 22/03/2020
Accepted : 31/08/2020
In Press: 09/12/2020
Published: 19/05/2021

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
Large vessel vasculitis (LVV) are chronic inflammatory diseases that affect arteries. While a mere clinical-serological approach does not seem sensitive either in the initial evaluation nor in long-term monitoring, 18-FDG positron emission tomography (18-FDG PET) is currently considered a useful assessment tool in LVV. We aimed at exploring the utility of 18-FDG, compared with traditional assessments, in the short- and long-term follow-up of patients with LVV. In addition, we compared patterns of vascular involvement in patients with Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK) and giant cell arteritis (GCA).
METHODS:
We retrospectively analysed 47 patients affected by LVV, evaluating clinics, blood chemistry and 18-FDG PET results, at two time points, short-term (average 8 months after diagnosis) and long-term (average 29 months).
RESULTS:
18-FDG PET uptake, expressed as mean value of SUV max, decreased significantly during follow-up in all the patients. A low concordance between 18-FDG PET and acute phase reactants levels was observed, but also a good sensitivity in detecting the response to treatment.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results confirm the role of 18-FDG PET as a powerful tool in the evaluation of LVV, both at the time of diagnosis and during monitoring. Furthermore, the data confirm that GCA and TAK are part of the same disease spectrum.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.55563/clinexprheumatol/3cneda

Rheumatology Article