Utility of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in cardiac infections

Diagnosis of cardiac infections, which includes infective endocarditis (IE) and cardiac device infections, despite having a high death rate, is still challenging. Frequently used modalities such as echocardiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging cannot confirm the presence of an active infection or extracardiac findings. Taking these things to consideration, newer guidelines have suggested the inclusion of F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/CT (F-18 FDG PET/CT) in the workup of patients with suspected prosthetic valve IE. In this pictorial essay, we are demonstrating the utility of F-18-FDG PET/CT in varied cases of IE, cardiac implantable electronic devices, and coronary stent infection and how they helped in solving diagnostic dilemmas.