title: High rate of cardiac sarcoidosis presenting with cutaneous plaque type sarcoidosis in 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography: a case series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Myocardial sarcoidosis is known as a significant complication of sarcoidosis, but Holter electrocardiographic monitoring or echocardiograms might not be sensitive enough to detect cardiac involvement. While gallium scintigraphy has been recommended, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography might be more sensitive to detect sarcoidosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This report comprises the cases of 12 Japanese patients. Two were male, and ten were female. Their age range was between 32 and 93 years. The average age of the patients was 63. We found internal involvement of sarcoidosis in eight (89%) of nine patients by positron emission tomography-computed tomography and in two (67%) of three patients by gallium scintigraphy. Myocardial sarcoidosis was detected in four (33%) of twelve patients, and specifically in three (75%) of four facial multiple plaque type sarcoidosis patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The myocardial lesions detected by positron emission tomography-computed tomography could not be detected with conventional electrocardiogram or echogram. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography can detect sarcoid lesions of the whole body and is useful for the follow up of patients. We recommend positron emission tomography-computed tomography for those patients having cutaneous sarcoidosis, especially facial multiple plaque type sarcoidosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, Saitama Medical Center, Tennumacho 1-847, Oomiya 330-8503, Saitama, Japan. namu@jichi.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Yoshio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hashimoto
authors.forename: Kaoru
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nishi
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takeda
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mizumoto
authors.forename: Toshio
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Demitsu
authors.forename: Hajime
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iizuka