Inital experience of imaging cardiac sarcoidosis using hybrid PET-MR - a technologist's case study

Background Cardiac imaging has been identified as a potential use of hybrid PET-MRI. This new technology allows simultaneous Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and MR scanning to occur. This case study features a 34 year old male with known pulmonary sarcoidosis which was diagnosed in 2006 and initially treated with immunosuppressants. He presented with NYHA functional class 2 symptoms. ECHO showed asymmetrical LV anterior and lateral wall hypertrophy with a maximum wall thickness of 18mm in the basal and mid anterior and lateral wall. The patient was referred for a cardiac18F Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-MR study to determine the cause of the hypertrophy. The possible differential diagnoses included hypertrophic cardiac myopathy with pulmonary sarcoidosis or cardiac sarcoidosis.