F-18 FDG Accumulation in Inflamed Joints

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Abstract
A 55-year-old woman underwent a whole-body FDG PET study for cancer screening. In the PET images, high F-18 FDG uptake was noticed at the joints of the upper extremities. Her hands were deformed, and she had experienced morning stiffness. Blood tests revealed a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate at 45 mm/hour and C-reactive protein 0.9 (normal, < 0.4). Testing for the rheumatoid factor yielded positive results. These physical and laboratory findings were compatible with the diagnosis of definite rheumatoid arthritis. It is worthy to note that elevated accumulation of F-18 FDG can be observed in Inflamed joints.