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PET/CT for Diagnosis and Management of Large-Vessel Vasculitis

  • Nuclear Cardiology (V Dilsizian, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review aims to discuss the use of fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET/CT) for diagnosis and management of patients with large-vessel vasculitis (LVV).

Recent Findings

Incidence of LVV is likely underestimated, in part due to its non-specific symptoms. Nevertheless, early diagnosis of LVV is essential to initiate timely therapy in order to prevent vascular complications, such as stenoses and aneurysms. FDG PET/CT imaging has the ability to detect LVV during the acute phase, prior to edema and other vascular structural changes, with its high sensitivity for inflammatory activity. FDG PET/CT was shown to be a powerful prognostic marker by allowing identification of patients at risk of vascular complications. Additionally, preliminary data support the use of FDG PET/CT to follow therapy efficacy.

Summary

FDG PET/CT allows early detection of inflammation, before morphological and irreversible vascular changes can be observed, allowing prompt diagnosis and treatment of LVV.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Imaging, Institut de Cardiologie de Montréal, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada

    Matthieu Pelletier-Galarneau

  2. Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Matthieu Pelletier-Galarneau

  3. Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, ON, K1Y 4W7, Canada

    Terrence D. Ruddy

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Correspondence to Terrence D. Ruddy.

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Terrence D. Ruddy reports grants from GE Healthcare and Advanced Accelerator Applications International.

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Pelletier-Galarneau, M., Ruddy, T.D. PET/CT for Diagnosis and Management of Large-Vessel Vasculitis. Curr Cardiol Rep 21, 34 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11886-019-1122-z

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