title: Positron emission tomography aids diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis.
abstract: A 39-year-old man presented to the hospital in April 2011 with a 2-month history of tonsillitis, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, shortness of breath on exertion and a dry cough. He was a non-smoker, previously fit and well with no regular medication. Examination of the respiratory, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems was normal; he appeared generally well. C reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were raised. A CT of the thorax showed mediastinal thickening and mediastinal lymphadenopathy. Whole body (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed diffuse tracheobronchial activity. Tracheal and lymph node biopsies showed non-specific features. Lung function tests showed an obstructive picture. A diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis was made. Immunosuppressive treatment was started, initially with oral methotrexate and prednisolone, later progressing to intravenous methylprednisolone and intravenous cyclophosphamide. Repeat bronchoscopy showed improvement in inflammation; however, the patient's symptoms were not improved. The patient's symptoms and lung function currently remain stable on maintenance oral prednisolone.
authors.affiliation: Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Rahul Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Mahida
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bowman
authors.forename: Babu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Naidu
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Thickett
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011081:Polychondritis, Relapsing / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals
chemical_list: D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18