title: PET in vasculitis.
abstract: [(18) F]Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) can be used to visualize large-vessel inflammation in giant-cell arteritis, Takayasu arteritis, and other types of aortitis. In patients with symptoms compatible with polymyalgia rheumatica, findings of increased FDG-uptake in the shoulders, hips, as well as the spinous processes of the cervical and lumbar spine, may suggest this diagnosis. In patients with giant-cell arteritis, there is increased metabolic activity within the aortic wall on FDG PET scintigraphy, indicating inflammation of the aorta, which may be a predictor of a higher potential for aortic dilatation.
authors: General Internal Medicine Department, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium. daniel.blockmans@uz.kuleuven.ac.be
authors: Daniel
authors: D
authors: Blockmans
mesh_terms: D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D013700:Giant Cell Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D013625:Takayasu Arteritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D014657:Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18