2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT in rasmussen encephalitis: guiding diagnosis and treatment in a young adult with sudden onset

Document Type : Case report

Authors

1 Nuclear Medicine Unit, Presidio Ospedaliero Santo Spirito, Pescara, Italy

2 Department of Medicine (DIMED), Nuclear Medicine Unit, University of Padova, Padova, Italy

3 Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy

4 Epilespy Center, “SS Annunziata” Hospital of Chieti, University “G. d'Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy

10.22038/aojnmb.2025.84963.1606

Abstract

Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a rare condition characterized by a chronic inflammatory disorder due to unilateral inflammation of the cerebral cortex. Typically, it involves one cerebral hemisphere and manifests through intractable epileptic seizures. Its occurrence in adults is infrequent. We present a case of a 28-year-old woman who was brought to the emergency room due to the sudden onset of uncontrolled seizures. The use of 2-[18F]-FDG PET/CT (FDG-PET) helped in the differential diagnosis between autoimmune seronegative encephalitis and Rasmussen encephalitis. Even though FDG-PET is not a mandatory diagnostic criterion in the clinical evaluation of RE patients, the presented case and the available literature suggest its usefulness as a valuable diagnostic tool in patients with uncertain diagnosis, emphasizing its potential as a reliable adjunct in challenging diagnostic scenarios and for patient follow-up.

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References

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Asia Oceania Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Biology
Volume 13, Issue 2
July 2025
Pages 203-207

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