Usefulness of 18F-FDG PET/CT for the Diagnosis of Tuberculous Pericarditis

Objectives: The diagnosis of tuberculosis as the aetiological cause is important. We are trying to figure out the features of tuberculous pericarditis on F-18-FDG PET/CT. Methods: We searched the medical database of our institution between January 2009 and July 2013 for routine F-18-FDG PET/CT imaging and 6 patients diagnosed as tuberculous pericarditis were enrolled. For quantitative analysis, SUVmax was calculated as maximum regionof-interest activity/injected dose/body weight. Results: The maximal thickness and SUVmax of the pericardium were both increased, with an average of 8 mm and 8.5 respectively. The maximal size and SUVmax of mediastinal lymph nodes were also increased, with an average of 17 mm and 6.9 respectively. None of the patients had hilar node involved. Conclusion: F-18-FDG PET/CT features like pericardial thickening, pericardial enhancement of FDG uptake, mediastinal lymph nodes enlargement, mediastinal lymph nodes enhancement of FDG uptake may help to differentiate with idiopathic pericarditis. Mediastinal lymph nodes without hilar node involved may help to differentiate with malignant pericardial disease.