18F-FDG-Labeled Autologous Leukocyte PET-CT in a Patient With Aortic Valve-Tube Graft Infection After Bentall Procedure

Infection of aortic valve-tube graft, although rare, is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Early identification of site and extent of infection is not only challenging but also crucial for adequate patient management and prognostication of disease. Combined clinical, laboratory investigation and imaging modalities assist in the identification of aortic valve graft infection. Molecular imaging techniques like PET/CT using 18F-FDG and 18F-FDG-labeled autologous leukocytes (LALs) have improved the sensitivity for detection of infection, resulting in better outcome for these patients. 18F-FDG-labeled autologous leukocyte PET/CT in our patient after Bentall procedure accurately localized the site and extent of infection. Received for publication October 8, 2019; revision accepted November 23, 2019. Conflicts of interest and sources of funding: none declared. Correspondence to: Anish Bhattacharya, DNB, PhD, Department of Nuclear Medicine, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India. E-mail: anishpgi@yahoo.co.in. Copyright © 2019 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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