Chonnam Med J.  2018 Sep;54(3):143-152. 10.4068/cmj.2018.54.3.143.

Role of PET/CT in the Evaluation of Aortic Disease

• Kim J
• Song HC

• KMID: 2420881
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4068/cmj.2018.54.3.143

Abstract

Positron emission tomography (PET) /computed tomography (CT) has been established as a standard imaging modality in the evaluation of malignancy. Although PET/CT has played a major role in the management of oncology patients, its clinical use has also increased for various disorders other than malignancy. Growing evidence shows that PET/CT images have many advantages in aortic disease as well. This review article addresses the potential role of PET/CT in diseases involving the aorta, emphasizing its usefulness with regard to acute thoracic aortic syndromes, aortic aneurysm, atherosclerotic lesions, aortitis and aortic tumors.

Keyword

Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography; Aneurysm; Dissecting; Atherosclerosis; Aortitis

MeSH Terms

Aneurysm
Aorta
Aortic Aneurysm
Aortic Diseases*
Aortitis
Atherosclerosis
Humans
Positron-Emission Tomography
Positron-Emission Tomography and Computed Tomography*

Figure

• 

  FIG. 1 Representative case of Takayasu arteritis. (A) PET and fused PET/CT images before therapy. The patient exhibited tubular 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake along the walls of the left common carotid artery, aortic arch, and ascending and descending thoracic aorta (arrows in A). (B) PET and fused PET/CT images after administration of corticosteroids. All vascular FDG uptakes were markedly improved.

• 

  FIG. 2 Comparison of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT images of infected abdominal aortic aneurysm (A) and non-infected abdominal aortic aneurysm (B). Arrows indicated in the site of abdominal aortic aneurysm.

• 

  FIG. 3 Angiosarcoma of the pulmonary trunk. 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT demonstrated an intense hypermetabolic lesion (SUVmax: 10.1) in the pulmonary trunk, which corresponded to subtotal occlusion on chest CT. Arrows indicated in the site of malignant tumor.

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