Background: In the last years, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) has demonstrated its utility for the evaluation of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease (IgG4RD). The studies are, however, really heterogeneous and different. The aim of this review is, therefore, to analyze the diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET and PET/CT for the assessment of IgG4RD.
Methods: A wide literature search of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase and Cochrane library databases was made to find relevant published articles about the diagnostic performance of 18F-FDG PET or PET/CT for the evaluation of IgG4RD.
Results: The comprehensive computer literature search revealed 779 articles. On reviewing the titles and abstracts, 756 articles were excluded because the reported data were not within the field of interest. Twenty-three studies were included in the review.
Conclusion: Despite some limitations that affect our review, 18F-FDG PET or PET/CT demonstrated the ability to assess IgG4RD both at initial evaluation and after therapy. In general, no correlation between PET/CT parameters and IgG4 serum levels has been reported. A possible role for 18F-FDG PET/CT to drive differential diagnosis with other disease is starting to emerge.
Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.