RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Lesson of the month 1: Large vessel vasculitis – a diagnostic challenge and the role of 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 369
OP 370
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.17-4-369
VO 17
IS 4
A1 Andrew Allard
A1 Ramesh Mootoo
YR 2017
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/17/4/369.abstract
AB Large vessel vasculitis can pose a significant diagnostic challenge. It may be insidious in onset with the only presenting symptoms consisting of constitutional compromise. It may mimic other pathologies and the only serological abnormalities may be abnormal inflammatory markers. Conventional imaging modalities may not be diagnostic. We present a case of large vessel vasculitis that proved a significant diagnostic challenge with diagnosis established on 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) computerised tomography (CT) imaging. This is one of five cases of large vessel vasculitis that were diagnosed in the rheumatology department at our trust over a 12-month period with diagnosis established with the use of 18F-FDG PET CT. We discuss the advantages of 18F-FDG PET CT over more conventional imaging modalities in diagnosing large vessel vasculitis.