Imaging of Vascular Inflammation With [11C]-PK11195 and Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Angiography

We sought to investigate whether positron emission tomography/computed tomography (CT) angiography using [11C]-PK11195, a selective ligand for peripheral benzodiazepine receptors expressed in activated macrophages, can be used to image vascular inflammation. Activated macrophages and T lymphocytes are fundamental elements in the pathogenesis of large-vessel vasculitides. Fifteen patients (age 52 ± 16 years) with systemic inflammatory disorders...