Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography revealed the course of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor-associated aortitis: A case report

Abstract

A 72-year-old man with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma underwent fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT, revealing lymphoma lesions and no evidence of aortitis. The patient received chemotherapy and was treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) for neutropenia. During chemotherapy, the patient underwent PET/CT again, revealing FDG accumulation and wall thickening at the aortic arch, which suggested aortitis. The patient was only experiencing fatigue. G-CSF-associated aortitis was suspected, and the original G-CSF was switched to another G-CSF while continuing chemotherapy. Three months later, the third round of PET/CT showed that FDG accumulation and wall thickening of the aortic arch vanished. PET/CT may be useful for not only the diagnosis but follow-up of G-CSF-associated aortitis. Radiologists should recognize incidental aortitis on PET/CT in patients receiving G-CSF administration.

Keywords

• Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
• PET
• Pegylated granulocyte-colony stimulating factor
• Aortitis
• Pegfilgrastim