Abstract
The positron emission tomography combined with computer tomography (PET/CT) is a well established imaging modality in the oncological practice. The most frequently used radiopharmaceutical is 2-deoxy-2-(F-18) fluoro-D-glucose (FDG).
Due to the unspecific nature of its biodistribution high uptake of FDG reflects also increased metabolic turnover in the cells mediating inflammatory reaction. The most important role of FDG PET/CT in vascular imaging is in the detection of infection/inflammation.
It is used mainly in the diagnosis of vasculitis, vascular graft infection, and inflammatory aneurysm and rarely in the diagnosis of vascular tumors. It can bring prognostic information in the evaluation of inflammatory activity (vulnerability) of atherosclerotic plaques.
A review of literature and clinical experiences are presented in this review article.