18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging of Popliteal Vasculitis Associated With Polyarteritis Nodosa

Clin Nucl Med. 2017 Aug;42(8):e385-e387. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000001711.

Abstract

We report an F-FDG linear uptake of the right popliteal artery in a 25-year-old man who underwent a PET/CT scan for unexplained chronic asthenia associated with fever symptoms, arthralgia, and subcutaneous nodes, in favor of vasculitis. The patient had a history of saphenous vein thrombosis. Thrombophilia screening finds a blood lupus anticoagulant. A biopsy of subcutaneous nodes finds an anatomopathologic lesion of polyarteritis nodosa. F-FDG PET can be useful in initial staging of polyarteritis nodosa for an early diagnosis of vasculitis, and thus, early treatment can prevent arterial complications such as occlusion or aneurysm.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Biological Transport
  • Biopsy
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18* / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Polyarteritis Nodosa / complications*
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*
  • Vasculitis / complications*
  • Vasculitis / diagnostic imaging*
  • Vasculitis / pathology

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18