Systemic Vasculitis Following SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccination Demonstrated on FDG PET/CT

Clin Nucl Med. 2022 May 1;47(5):e403-e405. doi: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000004115.

Abstract

Causality regarding adverse events following SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine is undetermined for vasculitis. Herein, we report the case of an 80-year-old man who presented with a persistent high fever of 7 days' duration that began shortly after receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. There was also a complaint of persistent lower limb pain and walking difficulty on emergency transportation. FDG PET/CT demonstrated extensive linear hypermetabolic foci along the vessels of both legs, including the hips, and the arms, supraclavicular area, chest wall, and temporal regions, suggesting systemic vasculitis. Subsequent temporal artery biopsy revealed arteritis, which is not typical of giant cell arteritis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • COVID-19 Vaccines / adverse effects
  • COVID-19*
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
  • Giant Cell Arteritis*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography
  • RNA, Messenger
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Systemic Vasculitis*
  • Vaccination
  • Vaccines, Synthetic
  • mRNA Vaccines

Substances

  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Vaccines, Synthetic
  • mRNA Vaccines
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18