Flash information
- Tracer
- FDG
- Structure
- Arterial wall
- Pattern
- Diffuse or focal
- Limitation
- Non-specific inflammation
Definition
FDG PET reveals metabolic activity; arterial-wall uptake may accompany vascular inflammation.
Examination or reading method
Review fused and anatomical images; compare vascular uptake with reference tissues and other vascular territories.
Morphological description
Describe aortic segments, involved branches, linear or focal pattern and possible wall thickening.
Causes and diagnostic direction
Large-vessel vasculitis and other inflammatory or infectious processes are possible; uptake does not determine aetiology.
Differential diagnoses
Atherosclerosis and non-vasculitic inflammation may show FDG uptake; distribution and CT help distinguish them.
Associated findings
Correlate symptoms, inflammatory markers and anatomical imaging; assess stenosis or dilatation according to the clinical question.
Red flags
Uptake alone does not measure aortic complication risk; anatomical abnormalities and symptoms matter.
Pitfalls and limitations
Acquisition conditions and treatment may alter uptake; a negative PET does not exclude all vascular disease.
Take-home message
Describe wall metabolism, then integrate anatomy, context and treatment before concluding aortitis.
Sources
- FDG-PET/CT(A) imaging in large vessel vasculitis and polymyalgia rheumatica: joint procedural recommendation of the EANM, SNMMI, and the PET Interest Group (PIG), and endorsed by the ASNC - PMC ↗
- Imaging for Diagnosis, Monitoring, and Outcome Prediction of Large Vessel Vasculitides - PMC ↗
Documentary review: 2026-10-12
Media source & rights
- Author
- Casciani, Emanuele, Filippi, Luca, Sollaku, Saadi, De Angelis, Cristina, Perrone, Marco, Picchi, Eliseo, Gualdi, Gianfranco, Garaci, Francesco
- Original source
- Casciani, Emanuele, Filippi, Luca, Sollaku, Saadi, De Angelis, Cristina, Perrone, Marco, Picchi, Eliseo, Gualdi, Gianfranco, Garaci, Francesco, figure 7, doi:10.1186/s43055-025-01628-5, CC BY 4.0. Conversion WebP/redimensionnement proportionnel.
- Licence
- CC BY 4.0
- Changes
- Figure intégrale, sans recadrage; conversion WebP et réduction proportionnelle; EXIF retiré. Dérivé écran proportionnel ≤1280 px, WebP qualité76 ; vignette ≤320 px qualité72. Source acquise et dérivé initial conservés sans modification ; aucune retouche médicale, aucun recadrage.
- Dimensions
- 1257 × 1280 px
- Check
- 2026-10-11T20:54:10.688075+00:00