An Impressive Widespread Sarcoid Myopathy in 18F-FDG PET/CT

Area of Science:

• Internal Medicine
• Nuclear Medicine
• Radiology

Background:

• Sarcoidosis is a systemic granulomatous disease primarily affecting the lungs and lymphatics.
• Muscular sarcoidosis, especially diffuse and asymptomatic forms, is rare and poses diagnostic difficulties.
• Hypercalcemia, unrelated to parathyroid issues, can be a manifestation of sarcoidosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the 18F-FDG PET/CT findings in a patient with muscular sarcoidosis.
• To highlight the diagnostic utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT in rare presentations of sarcoidosis.
• To illustrate the association between muscular sarcoidosis and non-parathyroid-related hypercalcemia.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 77-year-old woman.
• Utilized 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging.
• Compared findings with conventional imaging studies.

Main Results:

• 18F-FDG PET/CT revealed characteristic findings suggestive of muscular sarcoidosis.
• The imaging modality provided diagnostic clues where other conventional methods were insufficient.
• The patient presented with non-parathyroid-related hypercalcemia.

Conclusions:

• 18F-FDG PET/CT is a valuable tool for diagnosing rare muscular sarcoidosis.
• This imaging technique can aid in identifying sarcoid myopathy, even when clinically occult.
• The case underscores the importance of considering sarcoidosis in the differential diagnosis of unexplained hypercalcemia.