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F-18 FDG PET/CT in relapsing polychondritis
Motohiro Sato1, Takashi Hiyama, Takashi Abe
1Department of Radiology, Ibaraki Prefectural Central Hospital, 6528 Koibuchi, Kasama, Ibaraki, Japan. motohiro.sato@gmail.com
Annals of Nuclear Medicine
|August 26, 2010
Summary
Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) effectively visualized inflammation in relapsing polychondritis. This imaging technique showed decreased FDG uptake after successful steroid treatment, indicating its utility in assessing disease activity.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Radiology
- Immunology
Background:
- Relapsing polychondritis is a rare systemic autoimmune disease characterized by progressive cartilage destruction.
- Assessing disease activity and treatment response in relapsing polychondritis can be challenging.
- Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron-emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) is an advanced imaging modality.
Observation:
- A patient with relapsing polychondritis presented with increased FDG uptake in cartilaginous structures including rib cartilage, larynx, trachea, and bronchi.
- Contrast-enhanced CT revealed smooth tracheal and bronchial wall thickening, calcification, and airway narrowing.
- Following steroid therapy, clinical and laboratory markers of disease activity improved.
Findings:
- FDG PET/CT demonstrated a complete resolution of increased FDG accumulation in cartilaginous tissues after treatment.
- The imaging findings correlated with clinical improvement and normalization of laboratory data.
- FDG PET/CT successfully identified active inflammation in multiple cartilaginous sites.
Implications:
- FDG PET/CT serves as a valuable non-invasive tool for evaluating the extent and activity of relapsing polychondritis.
- This imaging modality can aid in monitoring treatment efficacy and guiding therapeutic decisions.
- The study highlights the potential of FDG PET/CT in the management of relapsing polychondritis.
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