18F-FDG WHOLE BODY PET/CT AS A DIAGNOSTIC TEST FOR POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA IN PATIENTS WITH NORMAL INFLAMMATORY MARKERS

Abstract

Background Despite abnormal C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) being required in the 2012 EULAR/ACR classification criteria, 7%–20% of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) patients possess normal inflammatory markers at diagnosis.1 A characteristic pattern of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake is seen on whole body positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in PMR, hence this imaging modality may be a useful diagnostic test in this clinical scenario. Objectives To report the utility of whole body PET/CT for diagnosing PMR in patients with normal inflammatory markers and compare the clinical and radiologic characteristics of this subgroup with patien..