Takeshi Hayashida MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Eijun Sueyoshi MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Yasuo Kido, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ichiro Sakamoto, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Kenya Chiba, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Masataka Uetani MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

FDG-PET/CT provides important physiologic information regarding stability and inflammatory activity of the atherosclerotic change of arterial systems. The purpose of this study was to clarify the correlation of vascular FDG uptake between the aorta and carotid artery in patients with aortic aneurysm. We also clarify the difference of vascular FDG uptake between patients and control subjects.

FDG-PET/CT scans from 19 patients (mean age, 77.1 years) with aortic aneurysm due to atherosclerosis and 19 control subjects (mean age, 73.9 years) were retrospectively evaluated. FDG-PET imaging was acquired at one hour after intravenous administration of FDG (3.7MBq/kg). Maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) of FDG of the wall of aorta (aortic arch and abdominal aorta) and carotid artery was measured. In control subjects, we also measured SUVmax at the same site. The data of SUVmax were used to evaluate the correlation of vascular FDG uptake between the aorta and carotid artery in patients, and to evaluate the difference of vascular FDG uptake between patients and control subjects.

In patients with aortic aneurysm, there was a strong correlation of SUVmax between aorta and carotid artery (between aortic arch and carotid artery [R=0.70, P=0.0008], between abdominal aorta and carotid artery [R=0.71, P=0.0006]). On the other hand, in control subjects, there was a moderate or slight correlation of SUVmax between aorta and carotid artery (between aortic arch and carotid artery [R=0.55, P=0.0142], between abdominal aorta and carotid artery [R=0.385, P=0.1041]). Between patients and control subjects, there was a significant difference in SUVmax in carotid artery( 1.7±0.29 vs. 1.4±0.27 ) [P=0.0179] and in abdominal aorta ( 2.1±0.39 vs. 1.7±0.22 ) [P=0.0006] However, there was no significant difference in SUVmax of aortic arch between patients and control subjects ( 2.0±0.37 vs. 1.8±0.29 ) [P=0.0599].  

There was a strong correlation of SUVmax between aorta and carotid artery in patient with aortic aneurysm. Patients have a significant higher SUVmax of carotid artery than control subjects. Therefore, the presence of aortic aneurysm can be considered as a high risk for carotid atherosclerotic change.

Patients with aortic aneurysm have instability and high inflammatory activity of the atherosclerotic change of carotid artery.

Hayashida, T, Sueyoshi, E, Kido, Y, Sakamoto, I, Chiba, K, Uetani, M, Association of Vascular FDG Uptake with Aorta and Carotid Artery in Patients with Aortic Aneurysm.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8007626.html