Visualization of epicardial lead infection using ¹⁸F‐FDG‐PET/CT imaging

Abstract

18 F‐FDG‐PET/CT is promising tool to visualize not only transvenous lead infection but also epicardial lead infection.

A Case of Recurrent Infective Endocarditis Caused by Streptococcus Agalactiae

“…In addition, we exhibited a significant improvement of in-Figure 2. 18 F-FDG PET/CT imaging. A: 18 F-FDG PET/CT showed increased uptake in the tissue surrounding the prosthetic valve (arrowheads).…”

“…18 F-FDG PET/CT imaging. A: 18 F-FDG PET/CT showed increased uptake in the tissue surrounding the prosthetic valve (arrowheads). B: Reexamination of 18 F-FDG PET/CT showed persistently increased uptake of the prosthetic valve after appropriate antibacterial treatment (arrowheads).…”

“…Since this patient had a prosthetic valve implanted, we considered the possibility that these echocardiographic findings were false-negatives. Since there was a report that 18 F-FDG PET/CT improves the diagnostic ability in patients with implantation of a prosthetic valve, 3) we performed 18 F-FDG PET/CT and made a diagnosis of prosthetic valve endocarditis. Even if there were no findings suggestive of infective endocarditis on echocardiography, a patient with an implanted prosthetic valve should be evaluated with various modalities, including 18 F-FDG PET/CT.…”

“…Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multiple cerebral infarction lesions (Figure 1). 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT ( 18 F-FDG PET/CT) revealed increased uptake in the tissue surrounding the prosthetic valve (Figure 2A). S. agalactiae was detected in blood cultures after admission.…”

“…3) Inflammatory parameters such as WBC (8150 × 10 6 /L) and CRP (1.21 mg/dL) levels were successfully improved 6 weeks after antibacterial treatment (Table ). However, re-examination with 18 F-FDG PET/CT suggested the possibility of persistent prosthetic valve infection (Figure 2B). Therefore, we decided to continue the oral antibiotic treatment with amoxicillin/clavulanate (750 mg/day) and amoxicillin (750 mg/day) after discharge.…”