Positron Emission Tomography in the Diagnosis and Management of Giant Cell Arteritis

We describe a 58-year-old woman who presented with new onset of temporal headaches and a nondiagnostic temporal artery biopsy in whom positron emission tomography led to the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis. After treatment with corticosteroids the patient's symptoms resolved. A repeat 18 FDG PET-CT scan illustrated virtually complete resolution of the abnormal 18 FDG uptake in the arterial wall.