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Case Reports
. 2017 Mar;51(1):86-87.
doi: 10.1007/s13139-016-0424-y. Epub 2016 Jun 8.

FDG-PET Identification of Infected Pulmonary Artery Conduit Following Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) Repair

Yuyang Zhang  1 , Hadyn Williams  1 , Darko Pucar  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

FDG-PET Identification of Infected Pulmonary Artery Conduit Following Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) Repair

Yuyang Zhang et al. Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2017 Mar.

Abstract

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is one of the most common forms of cyanotic congenital heart disease usually managed by serial surgical repairs. The repaired prosthetic valve or conduit is susceptible to life-threatening infection. FDG-PET is an effective alternative to evaluate the source of infection when other examinations are inconclusive. We report an unusual case of an infected pulmonary artery conduit after TOF repair although the echocardiogram was negative for vegetation, which was later confirmed by surgery and pathology. The case highlights the role of FDG-PET as a problem-solving tool for potential endocarditis and cardiac device infection cases after complex cardiac surgery.

Keywords: FDG PET/CT; Infection; Pulmonary artery conduit; Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF).

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

Yuyang Zhang, Hadyn Williams and Darko Pucar declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical Statement

No institutional review board approval or the equivalent was required for the manuscript. There was no requirement of informed consent for the case report.

Funding

No funding support of the project.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A focus of increased FDG uptake is seen in the mediastinum with SUVmax of 4.2 corresponding to the pulmonary conduit on CT. FDG activity in the right axilla is the injection site
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Upon the completion of one cycle of antibiotics, there is an interval decrease of FDG uptake of the focus compared with the prior image without complete resolution
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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