Glucose uptake of the spinal cord in patients with multiple sclerosis detected by 18f-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT after walking

Abstract

Study design: Case report. Objectives: To determine [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F]-FDG) uptake in the spinal cord of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) was compared with healthy controls after treadmill walking. Setting: Colorado Translational Research Imaging Center, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA. Methods: Eight mildly disabled patients with MS and eight healthy subjects performed 15min of treadmill walking at a self-selected pace. Two minutes after walking began, each participant was injected with E8mCi of [18F]-FDG into a catheter inserted into an antecubital vein. Immediately after walking positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging was performed on each participant. Images were analyzed to determine [18F]-FDG uptake within the spinal cord. Results: Total spinal cord [18F]-FDG uptake was lower in patients with MS (1.48±0.36 and 1.55±0.33, P=0.04), specifically within the thoracic (1.32±0.27 and 1.41±0.24, Po0.01) and the lumbar (1.58±0.40 and 1.89±0.43, P=0.04) spinal cord regions. Conclusion: This is the first report of [18F]-FDG uptake in the spinal cord of patients with MS. The decreased [18F]-FDG uptake within the thoracic and lumbar spinal cord regions could be associated with autonomic nervous system and walking/motor dysfunctions that are often seen in patients with MS. PET/CT imaging with [18F]-FDG is highly useful for the demonstration of impaired glucose metabolism in the spinal cord of patients with MS.