[18F]FDG PET/CT in rheumatoid arthritis

Q J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2022 Sep;66(3):234-244. doi: 10.23736/S1824-4785.22.03461-6.

Abstract

[18F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT can be used to image the inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. Specifically, the synovial metabolic activity can be evaluated visually and measured using standard uptake values. Fluorine-18-labeled Sodium fluoride (NaF) PET/CT can be used to determine synovial osteoblastic activity. Response assessment using FDG PET/CT is routine in many cancers and this is now an emerging technique for rheumatoid arthritis. Vasculitis in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be also studied with FDG PET/CT and aortic calcification with NaF PET/CT. These techniques could be useful in determining RA disease severity. FDG PET/CT is a useful technique to exclude underlying malignancy when RA does not follow the expected course. A number of novel tracers are being studied with regard to their applicability in rheumatoid arthritis and some of these could even be used in a theranostic manner in the future.

MeSH terms

  • Arthritis, Rheumatoid* / diagnostic imaging
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms*
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods
  • Sodium Fluoride

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Sodium Fluoride