Journal Article

18F-FDG positron emission tomography scanning in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease: a pilot study

Hachulla, Eric, Mékinian, Arsène, Sobanski, Vincent, Launay, David, Béhal, Hélène, Huglo, Damien, Ledoult, Emmanuel, Le Gouellec, Noémie, Baillet, Clio, Soussan, Michael, Morelle, Maxime, Remy-Jardin, Martine

2021

Overview

Background Interstitial lung disease is a common complication of systemic sclerosis (SSc-ILD), and it remains difficult to accurately predict its course. Progressing ILD could be more metabolically active, suggesting that the 18 F-FDG tracer could be a tool in the managing of SSc-ILD. Methods In our center, SSc patients and controls (non-Hodgkin lymphoma cured after first-line regimen) who had received a PET/CT were screened retrospectively. The FDG uptake (visual intensity, pattern, SUV max ) was systematically recorded in > 30 regions of interest (ROIs) linked to SSc in a blind reviewing by 2 independent nuclear medicine physicians using a standardized form. Results Among the 545 SSc patients followed up in our center, 36, including 22 SSc-ILDs, had a PET/CT, whose indication was cancer screening in most cases. The mean ± SD age was 57.9 ± 13.0 years with 20/36 females. Fourteen patients had a disease duration of less than 2 years. A third had anti-centromere antibodies and 27.8% had anti-topoisomerase antibodies. Pulmonary FDG uptakes were higher in SSc patients than in controls ( n  = 89), especially in those with ILD compared with those without ILD. Pulmonary FDG uptakes were positively correlated with the ILD severity (fibrosis extent, %FVC, and %D LCO ). No significant difference was found in the FDG uptakes from extrathoracic ROIs. Progressing SSc-ILDs within the 2 years after PET/CT ( n  = 9) had significant higher pulmonary FDG uptakes at baseline than stable SSc-ILDs ( n  = 13). Conclusion PET/CT could be a useful tool in the assessment of the severity and the prediction of pulmonary function outcome of SSc-ILD.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: 18F-FDG PET/CT / Adult / Aged / Arthritis / Diagnosis / Evaluation / Female / Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Humans / Interstitial lung disease / Life Sciences / Liver / Lung / Lung diseases / Lung Diseases, Interstitial / Lymphatic system / Lymphoma / Medical imaging / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Middle Aged / Orthopedics / PET imaging / Pilot Projects / Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / Positron-Emission Tomography / Pulmonary function tests / Research Article / Retrospective Studies / Rheumatology / RNA polymerase / Scleroderma / Scleroderma (Disease) / Scleroderma, Systemic / Systemic scleroderma / Systemic sclerosis / Variables