Vol.20 No.3

Case Report

A case of post-streptococcal reactive arthritis in which lesions were detected with [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-CT imaging and magnetic resonance imaging

Authors

Taro Horino1 , Toshihiro Takao2 , Yoshio Terada1

  • Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kohasu, Okoh-cho, Nankoku Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
  • Division of Community Medicine, Department of Community Nursing, Kochi Medical School, Kohasu, Okoh-cho, Nankoku Kochi, 783-8505, Japan
Received:

6 July 2009

Accepted:

27 November 2009

Published online:

29 December 2009

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Abstract

A 55-year-old man with lumbago and polyarthralgia was admitted to our hospital. Laboratory data showed elevated levels of anti-streptolysin O and C-reactive protein. Throat swab culture revealed β-hemolytic streptococcal infection. Magnetic resonance imaging detected effusion of the lumbar bone and the left hip joint. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) demonstrated increased fluorodeoxyglucose activity in the bilateral shoulder and hip joints and the interspinal ligament between L2 and L3. He was diagnosed as having post-streptococcal reactive arthritis (PSReA) and treated with amoxicillin hydrate. Polyarthralgia improved and did not relapse. To our knowledge, no results of PET-CT have previously been reported in patients with PSReA. We propose that PET-CT might be a useful tool for diagnosing PSReA.

Key words

MRI - PET-CT - Post-streptococcal reactive arthritis