Multiparametric 18F–FDG PET/MR follow-up in a patient with autoimmune pancreatitis

Abstract

Abstract Background Positron emission tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MR) is a new multimodal imaging technique, which might improve the diagnostic performance not only in oncological patients but also in patients with non-neoplastic inflammatory lesions as routinely used 18F-FDG is not a cancer specific agent. Case Presentation Multiparametric 18F–FDG PET/MR in a woman with pain in the upper abdomen and inconclusive laboratory and clinical data presenting with moderately increased, diffuse 18F–FDG uptake with delayed contrast enhancement, diffusion-restriction and focal enlargement in the pancreatic body being suggestive for autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP). Follow-up 18F–FDG PET/MR after initiation of steroid therapy confirmed complete resolution of imaging abnormalities. Conclusion 18F–FDG PET/MR might be valuable in the management of AIP providing complementary data regarding accurate diagnosis and monitoring therapy response to avoid unnecessary surgery.