This work analyses the possible axial- and transversal thermal spatio-temporal patterns that may emerge in a two-dimensional thin annular catalytic bed model using a detailed micro-kinetic model for CO oxidation. This work is motivated by experimental IR-imaging observations made with a cylindrical catalytic surface impregnated with Pd. Stationary, oscillating- and travelling axial-pulses are shown to emerge, in agreement with the experimentally observed axial patterns, and simulations, backed by linear analysis, show that transversal patterns may emerge as well. The implications for fixed-bed reactor modelling are discussed. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.