Relapsing Polychondritis: The Oto-Rhino-Tracheobronchial Triad on 18 F-FDG PET/CT

Clin Nucl Med. 2023 Aug 1;48(8):699-701. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000004698. Epub 2023 Jun 3.

Abstract

We present a 54-year-old woman with 3-month history of skin rash and bilateral hearing loss. Multiple investigations including biopsy failed to reveal the underlying diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis, until 18 F-FDG PET/CT demonstrated a characteristic FDG activity pattern-the oto-rhino-tracheobronchial triad. The patient was subsequently diagnosed to have relapsing polychondritis and received treatment. The second FDG PET/CT revealed a differential response in different disease sites, which prompted an escalation of treatment.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy
  • Female
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Polychondritis, Relapsing* / complications
  • Polychondritis, Relapsing* / diagnostic imaging
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • Positron-Emission Tomography

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18