Clinical implication of FDG-PET/CT in monitoring disease activity in large-vessel giant cell arteritis linked with secondary polymyalgia rheumatica

Abstract

Seventy year-old female presented low-grade fever, neck and pelvic girdle pain, jaw claudication and pulseless without visual disturbance. Laboratory examinations showed that C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were 11 mg/dl and 123 mm/1hr, respectively. FDG-PET/CT findings demonstrated bilateral subclavian, carotid and femoral arteritis and aortitis in addition to bursitis and enthesitis of spinous process and pelvic girdle. We diagnosed as large-vessel giant cell arteritis (GCA) linked with secondary polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR). Glucocorticoid therapy was started, and not only these symptoms and but also abnormal findings of FDG-PET/CT were improved.