Septic embolism (infective endocarditis)
Case submitted by Nazim Coskun
34-year-old male
Underwent AVR and MVR 4 years ago
Focally increased FDG uptake in the upper pole of splenic parenchyma (SUVmax: 6.58).
Case Notes
Splenic embolism is a significant complication of infective endocarditis, often resulting from the dissemination of infectious emboli to the spleen. This can lead to splenic infarcts or abscesses, which are potentially life-threatening if not promptly diagnosed and managed. F-18 FDG PET/CT is a highly sensitive modality for detecting inflammatory and infectious processes, as it images the metabolic activity associated with these conditions. F-18 FDG PET/CT can identify splenic involvement early, guiding therapeutic decisions, and assessing the extent of infection, which is crucial for optimizing patient outcomes in infective endocarditis.