Positron Emission Tomography Imaging in Vasculitis

Systemic vasculitides comprise a group of autoimmune diseases affecting blood vessels. [18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) plays an important role in the diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring of vasculitides affecting large-sized and medium-sized vessels. FDG-PET/CT also provides complementary information to other vascular imaging tools. The resolution and sensitivity of newer generation scanners continues to increase, hereby improving the ability of FDG-PET/CT to accurately assess the full disease extent in patients with vasculitis. Novel tracers targeting specific immune cells will allow for more detailed detection of vascular infiltrates.