Large vessel inflammation
PET-CT for Vasculitis and — Large Vessel Inflammation
You are being sent to a cancer imaging centre for a scan that has nothing to do with cancer. PET-CT maps active inflammation in the walls of the body's largest arteries, and your rheumatologist has ordered it to guide your treatment.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed September 2026
- Not a cancer investigation — The equipment is at an oncology centre, but your scan is for an inflammatory blood vessel condition, not cancer.
- Two main conditions — This scan is most commonly ordered for Takayasu arteritis or giant cell arteritis.
- Maps where inflammation is active — It shows which segments of the aorta and major branches are currently inflamed — information that shapes your treatment.
- Your rheumatologist remains in charge — Clinical responsibility for your diagnosis and treatment stays with your referring specialist throughout.
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PET-CT is used by rheumatologists to assess inflammation in the walls of large blood vessels — in Takayasu arteritis and giant cell arteritis. This is not a cancer investigation. The scan shows which segments of the aorta and its major branches are actively inflamed, helping your rheumatologist decide on treatment.
At CION, a whole-body PET-CT starts from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
Why has your rheumatologist sent you for a PET-CT?
Your scan is being done at a CION-affiliated imaging centre — a cancer care network — because this is where PET-CT equipment is located. This is not a cancer referral. Your scan is for large vessel vasculitis, an inflammatory disease affecting the walls of the body's major arteries.
The two conditions most often assessed this way are Takayasu arteritis, which most commonly affects women in their 20s and 30s and involves the aorta and its main branches, and giant cell arteritis, which typically affects people over 50 and can involve the aorta alongside arteries of the head and neck.
Both are managed by rheumatologists, not oncologists. Your referring rheumatologist retains full clinical responsibility for your diagnosis and care — the imaging centre produces the scan and the report, and your rheumatologist acts on it.
What does the scan actually show?
Inflamed blood vessel walls absorb glucose at a higher rate than healthy tissue. The PET component of the scan detects this, making inflamed segments appear as bright areas on the image.
This tells your rheumatologist which arteries are involved and how active the inflammation is right now. It can detect inflammation before structural changes such as narrowing or wall thickening become visible on other imaging.
The scan result is one piece of information, not a standalone diagnosis. No diagnostic guarantee is implied, and your rheumatologist will interpret it alongside your symptoms, inflammatory markers, and clinical history.
PET-CT Partner Centres
PET-CT Scan Centres in Hyderabad
CION offers PET-CT scans through 4 trusted partner PET-CT centres across Hyderabad, so you can choose the one closest to you. Call 18002028726 and we’ll guide you to the earliest available appointment.
PET-CT Centre — Punjagutta
PET-CT Centre — Himayatnagar
PET-CT Centre — Narayanaguda
These are partner diagnostic centres within the CION network. Toll-free booking: 18002028726.
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Dr. C. Raghavendra Reddy
MBBS(Gold Medal), DNB(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Gold Medal)
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Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla
MBBS, MD(General Medicine), DM(Medical Oncology)(Adyar,Chennai), ECMO, MRCP SCE(UK)
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Dr. Owais Mohammed
MBBS, MD (General Medicine), DrNB (Medical Oncology), ECMO, MRCP SCE (Medical Oncology) (UK)
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MBBS (AIIMS), MS (Surgery) (AIIMS), DNB (Surgical Oncology), MRCS (Edinburgh)
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Dr. Vajja Sandeep Kumar
MBBS, MS (General Surgery), DrNB (Surgical Oncology), FALS Oncology
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How to prepare — and where this differs from a cancer PET-CT
- Fast before your appointmentThe scanning team will confirm how long when you book. Water is usually permitted. This is the same requirement as any PET-CT.
- Tell the team if you have diabetesHigh blood glucose reduces image quality. You will need specific instructions about food and insulin — confirm this when you book.
- Bring a complete list of your medicinesInclude steroids, immunosuppressants, and any herbal or traditional preparations you take regularly.
- Tell the team about recent steroid treatmentHigh-dose or recent steroids can suppress how much inflammation appears on the scan. Your radiologist needs this information to interpret the images accurately.
- Avoid strenuous exercise the day before the scanMuscle activity affects how glucose is absorbed and can make the images harder to read.
- Bring your referral letter and recent blood resultsThe radiologist uses your clinical history alongside the images. These are important for an accurate report.
Did you know?
Takayasu arteritis is diagnosed more frequently in India than in most Western countries. EULAR recommends PET-CT for large vessel vasculitis assessment because it can show active inflammation in vessel walls before narrowing or thickening becomes visible on conventional imaging.
Detecting active segments early can change the treatment decision before permanent damage occurs.
Source: EULAR recommendations for the management of large vessel vasculitis (2018)
Questions about this scan
Does going to a cancer centre mean my doctor suspects cancer?
No. PET-CT scanners are expensive, specialised equipment installed at oncology centres because cancer imaging is their primary use. When a rheumatologist orders the same scan for vasculitis, you attend the same facility and use the same machine — but the indication, and the team managing your care, are entirely separate. The oncology staff coordinating your scan appointment are not involved in your vasculitis treatment, and they will not be reviewing your results.
Will the scan tell me whether my vasculitis is in remission?
It will show where and how much active inflammation is detectable at the time of the scan. Whether that represents remission, partial activity, or active disease is a clinical judgement your rheumatologist makes by combining the PET-CT result with your symptoms, inflammatory markers such as ESR and CRP, and your treatment response over time. The scan alone does not determine this, and your rheumatologist will explain what the result means in the context of your individual case.
Do I need to stop my steroids or immunosuppressants before the scan?
Do not change any medicine without specific instruction from your rheumatologist or the imaging team. This is an important question to raise when your appointment is confirmed. Steroid treatment can reduce how active inflammation appears on the scan, so your rheumatologist may want the scan timed around your treatment course. Stopping medication without guidance can cause a flare and is not appropriate.
Is there radiation involved, and do I need to stay away from others afterwards?
Yes, the scan uses a small amount of radioactive tracer. The dose is considered acceptable for a clinically indicated investigation and is not harmful to people near you in ordinary circumstances. After the scan, some centres advise limiting close contact with pregnant women and young children for a few hours as a precaution. The scanning team will give you specific instructions before you leave. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, tell the team before the scan.
What if the scan comes back normal but I still have symptoms?
A normal PET-CT does not rule out vasculitis. Some people have active disease that the scan does not detect — particularly when inflammation is patchy, early, or in smaller vessels outside the scan's range. Your rheumatologist may combine the result with other imaging such as MRI or vessel ultrasound, or continue monitoring based on your clinical picture. A normal scan with persistent symptoms is a conversation to have directly with your rheumatologist — it is not a reason to stop seeking answers.
PET-CT at CION starts from Rs 10,499 — among the lowest published prices in Hyderabad — across 4 partner centres in Banjara Hills, Punjagutta, Himayatnagar and Narayanaguda. Indicative price, as of September 2026.
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Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Is PET-CT the standard imaging for Takayasu arteritis and giant cell arteritis in India?
PET-CT is recommended by EULAR for assessing large vessel vasculitis and is used in India when available. Your rheumatologist may have already used ultrasound, MRI, or CT angiography, and is now ordering PET-CT because it shows something those cannot — specifically, where inflammation is currently active across a wide area in a single scan. The choice of imaging depends on what your rheumatologist needs to know at this stage of your care.
Can young women and teenagers with Takayasu arteritis have this scan?
Yes. Takayasu arteritis most commonly affects young women, and PET-CT is used in this age group when your rheumatologist considers it clinically necessary. The scan uses a radioactive tracer, and the decision to use it in younger people is made by weighing the clinical information it provides against the radiation exposure involved. If you have concerns, raise them with your rheumatologist before the appointment rather than cancelling without discussion.
If the scan shows active inflammation, will my treatment change straight away?
Your rheumatologist will decide, not the scan result alone. Active inflammation on PET-CT is one input among several — alongside your symptoms, blood markers, how long you have been on current treatment, and whether you are tolerating it. Some people with visible inflammation on PET-CT have their treatment adjusted; others are monitored closely if they are otherwise doing well. The result starts a conversation with your rheumatologist, not an automatic change in protocol.
How long will I wait for the result?
The images are interpreted by a radiologist or nuclear medicine physician and a written report is sent to your rheumatologist. Your rheumatologist then communicates the result and what it means for your management. If you have not heard within the timeframe you were given at the time of the scan, contact your rheumatologist's clinic directly. The imaging centre sends the report to your referring doctor — they communicate it to you.
Should I bring someone with me to the appointment?
Yes, it is sensible to bring a family member or friend. The appointment involves a waiting period while the tracer distributes through your body before the scan itself, so the total time at the centre is longer than the scan alone. You may feel tired afterwards. A family member can wait for you, help you remember what is discussed, and assist with transport. Many people also find it reassuring to have someone present during an unfamiliar procedure — that is entirely normal.