Diagnosing Organ Involvement in Juvenile Systemic Sclerosis with 68Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT.

We sought to assess the diagnostic value of 68Ga-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI)-46 PET/CT for obtaining information on organ involvement in the process of inflammation and fibrosis in patients with juvenile systemic sclerosis (jSSc).

Methods

In this retrospective study, 4 children with a diagnosis of jSSc underwent 68Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT imaging, 3 immediately after the diagnosis and before implementing immunmodulatory drugs and 1 a few years after active disease.

Results

In this case series, 68Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT detected all clinically known organ manifestations of jSSc. Additionally, this diagnostic tool provided previously unknown information about cardiac and muscular involvement in jSSc.

Conclusion

68Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT provides valuable information to better assess disease activity and detect organ involvement. Further studies using 68Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT in patients with jSSc are encouraged.