[18F]FDG PET-CT in Weber-Christian Disease.

Area of Science:

• Medical imaging
• Dermatology
• Rheumatology

Background:

• A 46-year-old woman presented with relapsing fever and painful subcutaneous pelvic nodules.
• Standard antibiotic and corticoid treatments failed to reduce elevated inflammation markers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the cause of the patient's clinical condition using FDG-PET/CT.
• To exclude systemic disease and assess nodule inflammation and extent.

Main Methods:

• Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) was employed.
• Previous nodule biopsy results were reviewed.

Main Results:

• FDG-PET/CT revealed multiple subcutaneous soft tissue foci in the abdominopelvic region.
• No visceral involvement was detected.
• Biopsy review confirmed Weber-Christian Disease (WCD), a rare form of nodular panniculitis.

Conclusions:

• Weber-Christian Disease (WCD) was diagnosed as the cause of the patient's symptoms.
• WCD is an idiopathic nodular panniculitis characterized by fever and systemic inflammation.
• Diagnosis of WCD is made by exclusion of other panniculitis causes.