[18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography is a useful tool to diagnose the early stage of Takayasu's arteritis and to evaluate the activity of the disease

• DOI: 10.1007/s10165-006-0485-3
• Publication Date: 2006-08-11T09:46:57Z
• Authors: Kunihiko Umekita; Ichiro Takajo; Syunichi Miyauchi; Katoko Tsurumura; Siro Ueno; Norio Kusumoto; Yasufumi Kai; Masayuki Kuroki; Takashi Sasaki; Akihiko Okayama
• Keywords: Takayasu's arteritis; Arteritis; Fluorodeoxyglucose; Takayasu Arteritis

Takayasu's arteritis (TA) is a rare disease that can be difficult to diagnose in its early stage. A young woman with fever and neck pain was thought have TA, although computed tomographic angiography did not show any specific changes of the arteries. [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([18F]FDG-PET) performed detect source inflammation. Specific accumulation [18F]FDG-6-phosphate thoracic aorta direct branches observed, leading diagnosis TA. [18F]FDG-PET therefore considered useful for early-stage