Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Diagnosis of giant cell arteritis by 18F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET)/CT in patients on glucocorticoid therapy: importance of delayed imaging
Authors' conclusion
In patients on GC therapy, delayed imaging protocols applying procedural recommendations for vascular quantification could improve diagnostic accuracy.
Study context
- Population
- Consecutive patients with strongly suspected giant cell arteritis (GCA) (2022 EULAR/ACR criteria) on glucocorticoid (GC) therapy before PETmedian age 70.5 years
- Participants
- 26 patients
- Comparison
- 18F-FDG PET/CT at 60 min vs delayed imaging at 180 min, against physician diagnosis of GCA at 6 months
- Outcome
- Diagnostic value of PET in GCA despite GC therapy (gold standard: physician diagnosis of GCA after 6 months of follow-up)
- Follow-up
- Baseline
Methodological detailsconsecutive patients, delayed imaging at 180 min
- Consecutive patients
- Delayed imaging at 180 min
Performance
As reported in the abstract
Positive baseline PET
PET at 60 min
18
events
Delayed imaging at 180 min
7
events
Further findings
Positive PET at 6 months of follow-up
- PET performed in 22 patients, positive in 16
- Delayed imaging in 6 patients with negative PET at 60 min, positive in all cases
- Despite treatment with GC and/or biological therapy
Original publication
Diagnosis of giant cell arteritis by 18F-FDG PET/CT in patients on glucocorticoid therapy: importance of delayed imaging. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Published 4 March 2024. doi:10.
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