Vasculitis & polymyalgia rheumatica
Role of F-18 FDG-PET CT scan in the evaluation of medium vessel vasculitis
Authors' conclusion
F-18 FDG PET/CT scans can show characteristic findings in MVV, with predominant involvement of lower extremity vessels and muscle uptake. However, it has limited sensitivity, and this can be further influenced by glucocorticoid use.
Study context
- Population
- Patients with biopsy or imaging evidence of medium vessel vasculitis (incl. Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN)) who underwent F-18 FDG PET/CT at Mayo Clinic sites23 (60.5%) male
- Participants
- 38 patients
- Exposure
- No prior GC vs Prior GC
- Prior GCn = 17reference
- Outcome
- Sensitivity of F-18 FDG PET/CT (abnormal tracer uptake) in medium vessel vasculitis (MVV)
Methodological detailsMayo Clinic sites, logistic regression
- Mayo Clinic sites
- Logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Abnormal F-18 FDG tracer uptake (PET/CT positivity)
Abnormal tracer uptake
14 patients
36.8 %
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
PET/CT sensitivity by prior GC use
P = 0.01
Common PET/CT uptake sites
- Lower extremity vessels
- 10
- Muscles
- 7
- Upper extremity vessels
- 5
- Linear pattern of muscle uptake
- 6/7
Biopsy evidence of vasculitis
- Vasculitis on biopsy (25 biopsied)
- 16 (64%)
Original publication
Role of F-18 FDG-PET CT scan in the evaluation of medium vessel vasculitis. Semin Arthritis Rheum. Published 6 November 2025. doi:10.
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