PMC9581648_01
Initial positron emission tomography scan showing aortitis. Increased metabolic activity of the wall of the transverse aortic arch (arrow) and surrounding inflammation were suggestive of aortitis. Imaging was otherwise notable for a complete response with no evidence of metastatic disease.
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She had a routine surveillance PET/CT (Figure 1) that showed increased metabolic activity in the wall of the transverse aortic arch and mediastinal fat stranding around the area indicative of inflammation that together suggested aortitis due to unclear etiology.
Positron emission tomography scan showing resolution of aortitis. This PET scan was done approximately three months after beginning prednisone and did not show any of the previous areas of increased metabolic activity or inflammation. It also did not show any evidence of recurrence of her metastatic melanoma.
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Three months after diagnosis, a follow-up PET scan (Figure 2) showed resolution of the aortitis and tocilizumab 162 mg IV weekly was started as a steroid-sparing agent.