Intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography: A complement to 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography in localizing pacemaker lead endocarditis

Abstract

Lead endocarditis (LE) is a serious complication of permanent trans-venous pacing. Localizing LE may be challenging with conventional imaging modalities. 2-deoxy-2-[fluorine-18] fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography–computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) has recently emerged as a promising tool in the diagnosis of LE particularly in cases with normal echocardiographic imaging findings and/or negative blood culture. However, this technique is associated with some drawbacks. Knowledge of these drawbacks and correlating its limitations with other imaging modality is essential for the echocardiographer while evaluating such patient. We report a case where transesophageal echocardiography was complementary to FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis and localization of vegetation over pacemaker leads during intraoperative period.

Keywords

• 18f-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography
• lead endocarditis
• transesophageal echocardiography