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Integration of 2-deoxy-2-[18F] fluoro-d-glucose PET/CT into clinical management of patients with Wegener’s granulomatosis

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Abstract

Objective

Wegener’s granulomatosis (WG) is a rare disorder characterized by granulomatous necrotizing vasculitis which mainly affects small- and medium-sized vessels. While the classical triad of involvement is upper and lower respiratory system and glomerulonephritis, WG may involve any organ or system in the body. The aim of our study was to investigate the role of positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) both in the initial evaluation and follow-up of patients with WG.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated PET/CT data from 13 patients (6 males; 7 females) with a mean age of 45 ± 12.4 years (range 28–63) who underwent either initial evaluation (n = 12) or response evaluation (n = 2) by conventional imaging methods and FDG with PET/CT. PET/CT images were both visually and quantitatively evaluated. The demographic data, clinical and laboratory findings of each patient were also recorded from the hospital files.

Results

Lung (n = 13), parapharyngeal space (n = 8), nose (n = 8), and ear (n = 3) were the most common disease sites detected on PET/CT. The entire initial evaluation patients had either solitary or multiple pulmonary nodular/mass lesions with marked increased FDG uptake (mean SUVmax 12 ± 4, range 3.53–19.51) on PET/CT. There was no significant pathological FDG uptake in patients consistent with complete treatment response after appropriate immunosuppressive therapy. PET/CT clearly demonstrated unexpected disease sites besides the respiratory system, with WG involvement except kidneys. Possibly due to physiological urinary excretion of FDG, urine analysis, BUN and creatinine levels were accepted still the best way for diagnosis of renal involvement.

Conclusion

FDG with PET/CT is a valuable tool in the management of patients with WG for a more accurate clinical evaluation regarding disease extension and treatment response.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Dr. Aysenaz Ozcan, Dr. Belgin Samurkasoglu, Dr. Nermin Capan, Dr. Nilgun Kalac, Dr. Sema Canbakan, Dr. Sukran Atikcan, Dr. Yurdanur Erdogan for referring their patients to our department and cooperation. The abstract of the manuscript has also been accepted to be presented at 26th Annual Congress of the EANM in October 2013.

Conflict of interest

On behalf of all authors, the corresponding author states that there is no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ataturk Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Sanatoryum Cad., 06280, Kecioren, Ankara, Turkey

    Ozlem Ozmen & Ebru Tatci

  2. Department of Radiology, Ataturk Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Atila Gokcek & Yeliz Dadali

  3. Department of Chest Diseases, Ataturk Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Deniz Koksal

  4. Department of Pathology, Ataturk Chest Diseases and Thoracic Surgery Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey

    Esra Ozaydin

  5. Department of Nuclear Medicine, Gulhane Military Medical Academy and Medical Faculty, Ankara, Turkey

    Nuri Arslan

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  1. Ozlem Ozmen
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  2. Ebru Tatci
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  3. Atila Gokcek
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  4. Deniz Koksal
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Correspondence to Ozlem Ozmen.

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Ozmen, O., Tatci, E., Gokcek, A. et al. Integration of 2-deoxy-2-[18F] fluoro-d-glucose PET/CT into clinical management of patients with Wegener’s granulomatosis. Ann Nucl Med 27, 907–915 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-013-0769-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12149-013-0769-6

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