Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Infl ammatory Diseases

Inflammatory diseases are often relapsing and require life-long treatment. New specific targeted therapies are being developed, and several clinical trials are being performed to assess the efficacy and safety of this new approach. Nowadays, nuclear medicine techniques greatly contribute to the management and determination of the prognosis of the disease. Most importantly, nuclear medicine techniques are the most sensitive diagnostic modalities for the evaluation of disease activity. This chapter reviews molecular imaging by nuclear medicine techniques, and discusses the clinical problem and methodological considerations. It talks about normal findings, radiolabeled monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), pathological findings, and therapy follow-up and patient management.