High rate of cardiac sarcoidosis presenting with cutaneous plaque type sarcoidosis in (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography: a case series

INTRODUCTION: Myocardial sarcoidosis is known as a significant complication of sarcoidosis, but Holter electrocardiographic monitoring or echocardiograms might not be sensitive enough to detect cardiac involvement. While gallium scintigraphy has been recommended, (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography might be more sensitive to detect sarcoidosis. CASE PRESENTATIONS: This report comprises the cases of 12 Japanese patients. Two were male, and ten were female. Their age range was between 32 and 93 years. The average age of the patients was 63. We found internal involvement of sarcoidosis in eight (89%) of nine patients by positron emission tomography-computed tomography and in two (67%) of three patients by gallium scintigraphy. Myocardial sarcoidosis was detected in four (33%) of twelve patients, and specifically in three (75%) of four facial multiple plaque type sarcoidosis patients. CONCLUSION: The myocardial lesions detected by positron emission tomography-computed tomography could not be detected with conventional electrocardiogram or echogram. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography can detect sarcoid lesions of the whole body and is useful for the follow up of patients. We recommend positron emission tomography-computed tomography for those patients having cutaneous sarcoidosis, especially facial multiple plaque type sarcoidosis.