The unsuspected complications of bacterial endocarditis imaged by gallium-67 scanning.

Abstract

In this case report, we present a patient with bacterial endocarditis who was evaluated by 67Ga imaging for persistent fever despite treatment with multiple intravenous antibiotics. Although evidence of bacterial endocarditis was absent with 67Ga imaging, the study demonstrated findings that represent complications of bacterial endocarditis. The procedure demonstrated moderate pericardial uptake of isotope and thus provided the first evidence of pericarditis which was later confirmed at surgery. The study also demonstrated mildly increased activity in the vicinity of the aortic root and right atrium. A sinus of valsalva abscess, complicating the underlying diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis, was found and treated with surgery and antibiotics. At autopsy 4 wk later, a persistence sinus of valsalva abscess was found which extended into the right atrium.