Relapsing polychondritis with aortic involvement in fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography: A case report

Abstract

An 83-year-old male patient presented with recurrent high fever. Vegetation was determined on transesophageal echocardiography, and antibiotic treatment was initiated for infective endocarditis. Despite medical treatment, progressive aortic insufficiency occurred and aortic valve replacement was performed. However, C-reactive protein (CRP) and fever did not decrease. During the clinical follow-up, pharyngolaryngeal pain and hoarseness, swelling, pain in the left auricle and nose increased. Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) scan was performed which revealed an increased 18F-FDG uptake in the ascending aorta, left ear, and nose. The patient was diagnosed with relapsing polychondritis (RPC). After the steroid and cyclophosphamide treatment, fever and CRP decreased dramatically. In conclusion, 18F-FDG PET/CT is an important imaging method for demonstrating RPC.