Impact of [¹⁸F]-fluorodeoxyglucose ([¹⁸F]-FDG) imaging in sarcoidosis: unsuspected neurosarcoidosis discovered by [¹⁸F]-FDG PET and early metabolic response to corticosteroid therapy

Abstract

A 46-year-old woman, with biopsy proven pulmonary sarcoidosis, was referred for an [18F]-FDG PET/CT scan that depicted multivisceral involvement and an unusual [18F]-FDG focus located in the pituitary fossa consistent with pituitary sarcoidosis. This was confirmed by decreased antidiuretic hormone blood levels and contrast-enhanced CT scan. This unsuspected neurosarcoidosis prompted corticosteroid therapy. A [18F]-FDG-PET/CT examination performed 10 weeks after initiation of treatment revealed complete recovery. It is suggested that the skull base should be included in the PET scanning of patients with sarcoidosis. [18F]-FDG imaging may be useful in the early evaluation of response to treatment.