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18F-FDG PET successfully detects spinal cord sarcoidosis

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Abstract

Though there has been an array of methods to evaluate the extent of sarcoidosis, it is generally difficult to detect central nervous system involvement. Recently it has become accepted that 18F-FDG PET is more sensitive than gallium scintigraphy in finding sarcoid lesions, however its usefulness and limitations for detecting sarcoidosis in the central nervous system, especially in the spinal cord, has rarely been investigated. Two patients with pathologically confirmed sarcoidosis manifested spinal symptoms. We conducted 18F-FDG PET along with conventional imagings before and after treatment. Abnormal FDG uptakes which could not be detected by gallium scintigraphy were shown in the spinal cords in both patients. These abnormal uptakes were diminished in accordance with clinical improvement after treatment. Our findings suggest that 18F-FDG PET is effective in detecting and tracking the activity of spinal sarcoidosis.

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Fig. 1
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Abbreviations

18F-FDG:

18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose

PET:

Positron emission tomography

CNS:

Central nervous system

MRI:

Magnetic resonance imaging

CSF:

Cerebrospinal fluid

MS:

Multiple sclerosis

BBB:

Blood brain barrier

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Acknowledgment

We thank Kathryn Soriano for proofreading our manuscript and providing meaningful advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima Bunkyoku, Tokyo, Japan

    Kiyobumi Ota, Taiji Tsunemi, Kazuyoshi Saito, Fumika Yamanami, Mutsufusa Watanabe, Takashi Irioka & Hidehiro Mizusawa

  2. Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr. MC 0642, La Jolla, CA, USA

    Taiji Tsunemi

Authors
  1. Kiyobumi Ota
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  2. Taiji Tsunemi
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  3. Kazuyoshi Saito
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  4. Fumika Yamanami
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  5. Mutsufusa Watanabe
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  6. Takashi Irioka
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  7. Hidehiro Mizusawa
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Taiji Tsunemi.

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Ota, K., Tsunemi, T., Saito, K. et al. 18F-FDG PET successfully detects spinal cord sarcoidosis. J Neurol 256, 1943–1946 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-009-5270-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00415-009-5270-8

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