Flourine-18 flourodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography as a non-invasive test of disease activity in Takayasu's arteritis--a report of four cases.
BACKGROUND
Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a rare disease affecting the large arteries, particularly the aorta. Standard test to demonstrate abnormal vascular anatomy is angiography. This invasive procedure is limited in differentiating inflammatory and fibrotic lesions. Acute phase reactants have shown to have poor sensitivity and specificity in confirming disease activity in TA patients. Fluorine-18 flourodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET) scan has been utilized to detect areas of active inflammation in neoplastic, infectious and recently, vasculitic conditions.


OBJECTIVE
To describe the FDG-PET scan findings of patients with Takayasu's arteritis.


METHODS
This is a case series of four patients fulfilling the American College of Rheumatology classification criteria for TA. They were evaluated with FDG-PET scan to establish disease activity in correlation with other clinical and laboratory features.


RESULTS
Three out of four patients showed evidence of increased radiotracer uptake in the aorta. Of these three patients, one had increased radiotracer uptake in the lungs secondary to active pulmonary tuberculosis.


CONCLUSIONS
PET scan is a promising but non-specific tool that provides clinicians with a non-invasive measure of disease activity in TA patients. Further studies confirming its utility in monitoring disease activity and response to treatment is recommended.
St. Luke's Medical Center, Quezon City, Philippines. evanvistamd@omrf.ouhsc.org
Evan Glenn S
EG
Vista
Paul V
PV
Santos Estrella
Juan Javier T
JJ
Lichauco
D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
D000925:Anticoagulants; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18