ECG-Gated FDG PET/CT as a Novel Tool in Diagnosis of Coronary Stent Infection.

Abstract

Coronary stent infection is very rare but can be life-threatening and may present with nonspecific symptoms. Conventional imaging can miss subtle peri-stent pathology. ECG-gated FDG PET/CT provides an accurate assessment by fusing metabolic and anatomic information, enhancing detection and guiding timely management in suspected stent infection. We report the case of a 65-year-old woman, 1.5 years post-LAD stenting, who presented with complaints of recurrent fever. ECG-gated FDG PET/CT showed an ill-defined soft tissue mass around the stent extending to the inner pericardium with elevated metabolic activity and a nearby loculated hypodense pericardial collection, indicative of stent infection. The patient had successfully managed with surgical intervention for stent removal and debridement along with antibiotics.