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European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging
Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging 7/2013

01-07-2013 | Original Article

The value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosing infectious endocarditis

Authors: Ilse J. E. Kouijzer, Fidel J. Vos, Marcel J. R. Janssen, Arie P. J. van Dijk, Wim J. G. Oyen, Chantal P. Bleeker-Rovers

Published in: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging | Issue 7/2013

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Abstract

Purpose

Early detection of infectious endocarditis is challenging. For diagnosing infectious endocarditis, the revised Duke criteria are the gold standard. Evidence of endocardial involvement on echocardiography is a major criterion, but sensitivity and specificity of echocardiography are not optimal. Here we investigated the utility of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography and computed tomography (PET/CT) to diagnose infectious endocarditis in patients with gram-positive bacteraemia.

Methods

Seventy-two patients with gram-positive bacteraemia were prospectively included. Patients with a positive blood culture growing Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus species or Enterococcus species were eligible when a risk factor for developing metastatic infectious foci was present. Infectious endocarditis was defined according to the revised Duke criteria. All patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT and echocardiography. 18F-FDG uptake in or around the heart valves was evaluated independently by two nuclear medicine physicians.

Results

Sensitivity for diagnosing infectious endocarditis with 18F-FDG PET/CT was 39 % and specificity was 93 %. The positive predictive value was 64 % and negative predictive value was 82 %. The mortality rate in patients without infectious endocarditis and without increased 18F-FDG uptake in or around the heart valves was 18 %, and in patients without infectious endocarditis but with high 18F-FDG uptake in or around the heart valves the mortality rate was 50 % (p = 0.181).

Conclusion

18F-FDG PET/CT is currently not sufficiently adequate for the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis because of its low sensitivity. Improvements such as patient preparation with low carbohydrate–fat allowed diet and technical advances in the newest PET/CT scanners may increase sensitivity in future studies.
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Metadata
Title
The value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosing infectious endocarditis
Authors
Ilse J. E. Kouijzer
Fidel J. Vos
Marcel J. R. Janssen
Arie P. J. van Dijk
Wim J. G. Oyen
Chantal P. Bleeker-Rovers
Publication date
01-07-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging / Issue 7/2013
Print ISSN: 1619-7070
Electronic ISSN: 1619-7089
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00259-013-2376-0

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