[18F-FDG-PET/CT AS A TOOL FOR DIAGNOSIS AND FOLLOW-UP OF INFLAMMATORY DISEASES OF LARGE BLOOD VESSELS].

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-Positron Emission Tomography (PET) / Computed Tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is a well-established functional-anatomical imaging technique mostly used in oncology. In addition, it was found to have an important role in the diagnosis and follow-up of large vessel vasculitis mainly when combined with computed tomography angiography. Large vessel vasculitis is a disease mainly affecting large blood vessels and has two major groups Takayasu arteritis (TA) and Giant cell arteritis (GCA). GCA is usually accompanied by polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR).