(18)F-FDG Muscular Uptake in Statin-Associated Symptoms Without Myositis: How Long to Stop Treatment for Image Quality Improvement?

Statin-associated muscle symptoms are a frequent adverse effect of statin treatment and can lead to a statin-associated myopathy characterized by a significant serum creatine kinase increase. We report the case of an 80-year-old man who presented an increased muscular (18)F-FDG uptake in a statin-associated muscle symptom without creatine kinase abnormality or inflammation. Statin treatment was discontinued for 6 hours, 3 days, and 7 days on consecutive follow-up examinations. The 1-week window clearly enhanced image quality. This case illustrates the possibility of diffuse muscular (18)F-FDG uptake without myositis and the need for a minimal 1-week statin discontinuation to reduce muscular uptake.