Diagnosis of abdominal aortic prosthesis infection with FDG-PET/CT.
A 79-year-old man was referred with recurrent periods of fever and chills. Six years earlier an aortic bifurcation graft had been implanted. Blood examination showed elevated infection parameters. A regular computed tomographic (CT) scan in the previous hospital showed no signs of graft infection. When blood cultures revealed multiple enteric bacteria, a 2-deoxy-2-[F18]fluoro- d-glucose-positron emission tomographic/CT (FDG- PET/CT) scan was performed that demonstrated ring-shaped pathological uptake at the proximal anastomosis. The patient was operated on and an infected graft was found, with a 1-cm defect in the distal part of the duodenum. Bacterial cultures of the explanted graft were positive. The patient recovered well from surgery and is on a regimen of prolonged antibiotic and antimycotic treatment.
Balink
Hans
H
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Medical Centre Leeuwarden, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. hans.balink@znb.nl
Reijnen
Michel M P J
MM
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery*; D001807:Blood Vessel Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020878:Device Removal; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000628:therapy; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18