18F-FDG whole-body PET/CT for the evaluation of suspected native valve infective endocarditis

TL;DR

This paper discusses how a PET/CT scan can help diagnose heart and body infections in a patient with a suspected heart valve infection.

Contribution

The paper highlights the use of whole-body FDG-PET/CT in diagnosing native valve infective endocarditis and detecting related complications.

Findings

PET/CT revealed left foot osteomyelitis in a patient with persistent MRSA bacteremia.

Whole-body PET/CT diagnosed native mitral valve infective endocarditis and septic pulmonary embolism.

FDG-PET/CT aids in detecting intra-cardiac infections and their sources.

Abstract

18F-FDG-PET/CT is indicated in the workup of patients with suspected infective endocarditis to detect intra-cardiac and disseminated infections, as well as its source. We present the case of a 66-year-old female patient known for recurrent diabetic foot infection, with equivocal TTE results and persistent MRSA bacteremia despite medical management. PET/CT revealed evidence of left foot osteomyelitis. Whole body PET/CT diagnosed native mitral valve infective endocarditis (IE) and right lower lobe segmental pulmonary artery uptake, consistent with septic pulmonary embolism (PE).

Whole-body FDG-PET/CT can contribute to the diagnosis, source assessment, and embolic detection of NVE.

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