Visualization of Vascular Inflammation Using Diffusion-Weighted Whole-Body Imaging with Background Body Signal Suppression.

Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression has been used to diagnose fever of unknown origin. An 86-year-old man who underwent bile duct jejunostomy for bile duct cancer presented with fever (body temperature, 40°C). Escherichia coli was detected in blood cultures. Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression revealed accumulation in the aortic arch. Therefore, infectious aortitis secondary to retrograde cholangitis was diagnosed. The patient was treated with antibiotics, and the aortic arch accumulation disappeared. Diffusion-weighted whole-body imaging with background body signal suppression is a useful modality for diagnosing vasculitis and assessing treatment effectiveness.