Abnormalities at three musculoskeletal sites on whole-body positron emission tomography/computed tomography can diagnose polymyalgia rheumatica with high sensitivity and specificity

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT findings in PMR and generate a diagnostic algorithm utilizing a minimum number of musculoskeletal sites. Methods: Steroid-naïve patients with newly diagnosed PMR (2012 EULAR/ACR classification criteria) were prospectively recruited to undergo whole-body 18F−FDG PET/CT. Each PMR case was age- and sex-matched to four PET/CT controls. Control scan indication, diagnosis and medical history were extracted from the clinical record. Qualitative and semi-quantitative scoring (maximum standardized uptake value [SUVmax]) of abnormal 18F-FDG uptake at 21 musculoskeletal sites was undertaken for cases and controls. Results informed the devel..