18F-FDG PET/CT Imaging of Vasculitis Complicated With Relapsing Polychondritis

Clin Nucl Med. 2020 Jul;45(7):e327-e328. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000003060.

Abstract

We present a case of a 38-year-old woman who complained with cough, fever, and back pain with a weight loss. F-FDG PET/CT to search fever origin revealed uptake in the tracheobronchial and the left auricular cartilage and wall of the thoracic aorta. She underwent biopsy of the left auricle and was diagnosed with relapsing polychondritis (RP) complicating vasculitis. After steroid therapy, FDG PET/CT demonstrated regression of inflammation, showing decreases in the uptakes. Vasculitis should be considered in case of RP with systemic manifestations. Our case demonstrated the utility of FDG PET/CT in evaluation of RP lesions including aortitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Polychondritis, Relapsing / complications*
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography*
  • Recurrence
  • Vasculitis / complications*
  • Vasculitis / diagnostic imaging*

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18