Detecting cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis: a call for prospective studies of newer imaging techniques.
Diagnosis of cardiac involvement in sarcoidosis is challenging and usually relies on a combination of clinical findings and imaging abnormalities. The case of a 53-yr-old female is described who presented with ventricular tachycardia and suspected angiosarcoma involving the right atrium and superior vena cava. A combination of magnetic resonance imaging and (18)F-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography were essential to the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. Reversibility of the disease was predicted more clearly by (18)F-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography than by magnetic resonance imaging, and clinical activity was predicted by persistent hypermetabolism on serial (18)F-2-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose-positron emission tomography.
Pandya
C
C
Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical CareMedicine, The Cleveland Clinic, 9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.
Brunken
R C
RC
Tchou
P
P
Schoenhagen
P
P
Culver
D A
DA
D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012507:Sarcoidosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy
D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18