Pericardial sarcoidosis presenting as PUO diagnosed on FDG PET CT scan

Abstract

Pyrexia of unknown origin (PUO) is a common problem in day-to-day practice. FDG PET CT is an established investigation that aids in identifying the cause of PUO. Due to its high sensitivity PET detects an occult hypermetabolic focus in the body where CT helps in anatomical localization, vascularity, enhancement characteristics of the lesion detected on PET. It helps to differentiate benign versus malignant cause and target biopsy. Tuberculosis, lymphoma, pyelonephritis, thyroiditis appear hypermetabolic on FDG PET CT. Pericardial sarcoidosis is rare and not reported in literature as a cause of PUO. Presented here is a case of PUO secondary to pericardial granulomatosis diagnosed on PET CT. Cardiac MRI also helps in better tissue characterization and associated myocardial involvement of sarcoidosis. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of pericardial sarcoidosis in this case.