18F-FDG PET/CT could Precisely Localize Hypermetabolic Cervical Muscles in a Patient Affected by Idiopathic Cervical Dystonia

Abstract

Background

Idiopathic cervical dystonia [ICD] is characterized by an abnormal head and neck posture attributable to involuntary tonic or phasic contractions of neck muscles.

Findings

We performed a brain fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computerized tomography [F18-FDG PET/CT] scan for suspected metabolic alterations in basal ganglia in a 51-year-old woman without any evidence of secondary dystonia. Brain uptake was unremarkable, whereas an increased F18-FDG uptake was observed in the right trapezius and right longus colli muscle, allowing a diagnosis of ICD.

Conclusion

An F18 PET/CT may be a non-invasive alternative to electromyography to identify dystonic cervical muscles and this identification could lead to successful clinical results after targeted intramuscular botulinum toxin treatment.

Keywords:

• F18-FDG PET/CT
• idiopathic cervical dystonia
• hypermetabolic cervical muscles
• botulinum toxin treatment