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. 2023 Apr-Jun;38(2):140-144.
doi: 10.4103/ijnm.ijnm_113_22. Epub 2023 Jun 8.

Utility of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Cardiac Infections

Jasim Jaleel  1 , Prateek Kaushik  1 , Chetan Patel  1 , Khangembam Bangkim Chandra  1 , Satyavir Yadav  2 , Deepti Siddharthan  2
Affiliations

Utility of 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Cardiac Infections

Jasim Jaleel et al. Indian J Nucl Med. 2023 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Diagnosis of cardiac infections, which includes infective endocarditis (IE) and cardiac device infections, despite having a high death rate, is still challenging. Frequently used modalities such as echocardiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging cannot confirm the presence of an active infection or extracardiac findings. Taking these things to consideration, newer guidelines have suggested the inclusion of 18F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT (18F FDG PET/CT) in the workup of patients with suspected prosthetic valve IE. In this pictorial essay, we are demonstrating the utility of 18F-FDG PET/CT in varied cases of IE, cardiac implantable electronic devices, and coronary stent infection and how they helped in solving diagnostic dilemmas.

Keywords: Cardiac implantable electronic device; fluorodeoxyglucose; infection; infective endocarditis; positron emission tomography-computed tomography; stent infection.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Top row: Axial Noncontrast CT (a) 18F-FDG PET (b) and fused PET/CT (c) images showing increased FDG uptake in the region of the aortic valve (bold white arrows). Bottom row: Axial noncontrast CT (d) 18F-FDG PET (e) and fused PET/CT (f) images demonstrating a hypodense lesion with no significant FDG uptake in the spleen (white arrows), indicating splenic infarction. 18F-FDG PET/CT: 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography
Figure 2
Figure 2
Top row: Axial noncontrast CT (a) 18F-FDG PET (b) and fused PET/CT (c) images showing increased FDG uptake anterior to the prosthetic mitral valve (bold white arrows). Bottom row: Axial noncontrast CT (d) 18F-FDG PET (e) and fused PET/CT (f) images demonstrating a hypodense lesion with no significant FDG uptake in the spleen (white arrows), indicating a splenic infarct. 18F-FDG PET/CT: 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography
Figure 3
Figure 3
Top row: Baseline 18F-FDG PET/CT scan with axial Non-contrast CT (a) PET (b) and fused PET/CT (c) images showing increased FDG uptake in the region of prosthetic aortic valve (bold white arrows). Bottom row: Follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT scan with axial noncontrast CT (d), PET (e) and fused PET/CT (f) images showing resolution of previously noted FDG uptake in prosthetic aortic valve region. 18F-FDG PET/CT: 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography
Figure 4
Figure 4
Axial and coronal noncontrast CT (a and d) 18F-FDG PET (b and e) and fused PET/CT (c and f) images showing increased FDG uptake around the pacemaker in the device pocket (white arrow). 18F-FDG PET/CT: 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography
Figure 5
Figure 5
Top row: Axial noncontrast CT (a) 18F-FDG PET (b) and fused PET/CT (c) images showing increased FDG uptake in the pacemaker pocket in the left anterior chest wall (bold white arrows). Bottom row: Axial noncontrast CT (d) PET (e) and fused 18F-FDG PET/CT (f) images showing increased FDG uptake along the intracardiac leads (white arrows). 18F-FDG PET/CT: 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography
Figure 6
Figure 6
Axial and coronal noncontrast CT (a and d) 18F-FDG PET (b and e) and fused PET/CT (c and f) images showing increased FDG uptake around the stent in RCA (white arrow). 18F-FDG PET/CT: 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography. RCA: Right coronary artery
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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