F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography leading to a diagnosis of septic thrombophlebitis of the portal vein: description of a case history and review of the literature

Pylephlebitis and Right-Sided Endocarditis: A Rare Complication of an Intra-abdominal Infection

Right-sided infective endocarditis is less common than left-sided endocarditis and can be a difficult clinical diagnosis. The presence of intracardiac devices is a major risk factor. The presentation is less clear than left-sided forms because of the presence of respiratory symptoms and the absence of systemic embolization. Pylephlebitis, or septic thrombosis of the portal vein, is a serious infectious condition that often delays diagnosis. It is a complication of intraabdominal or pelvic infections. Streptococcus gallolyticus (S. gallolyticus) can cause infective endocarditis and is associated with colon neoplasia and hepatobiliary disease. In this case report, we describe the case of a 76-year-old male with a history of rectal adenocarcinoma who presented with different episodes of fever of unknown origin (FUO), one of which occurred after pacemaker implantation. Ultimately, he was diagnosed with S. gallolyticus-mediated tricuspid valve endocarditis with underlying pylephlebitis. Investigations did not show evidence of pacemaker lead endocarditis.

Acute Appendicitis Complicated by Septic Thrombophlebitis of the Portal Vein Shown by 18 F-FDG and 68 Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT

ABSTRACT

Septic thrombophlebitis of the portal vein is a serious infectious disorder and is difficult to be diagnosed at an early stage. In this case, we presented 18 F-FDG and 68 Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT findings in a 45-year-old man with acute appendicitis complicated by septic thrombophlebitis of the portal vein. 68 Ga-FAPI-46 PET/CT showed intense radiotracer uptake in the thrombosis of the portal vein, with higher SUV max and larger disease extent than 18 F-FDG PET/CT. This case demonstrated that 68 Ga-FAPI PET/CT may be a useful imaging modality for the diagnosis of this infectious condition.

Pylephlebitis: A Systematic Review on Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Infective Portal Vein Thrombosis

Pylephlebitis, defined as infective thrombophlebitis of the portal vein, is a rare condition with an incidence of 0.37-2.7 cases per 100,000 person-years, which can virtually complicate any intra-abdominal or pelvic infections that develop within areas drained by the portal venous circulation. The current systematic review aimed to investigate the etiology behind pylephlebitis in terms of pathogens involved and causative infective processes, and to report the most common symptoms at clinical presentation. We included 220 individuals derived from published cases between 1971 and 2022. Of these, 155 (70.5%) were male with a median age of 50 years. There were 27 (12.3%) patients under 18 years of age, 6 (2.7%) individuals younger than one year, and the youngest reported case was only 20 days old. The most frequently reported symptoms on admission were fever (75.5%) and abdominal pain (66.4%), with diverticulitis (26.5%) and acute appendicitis (22%) being the two most common causes. Pylephlebitis was caused by a single pathogen in 94 (42.8%) cases and polymicrobial in 60 (27.2%) cases. However, the responsible pathogen was not identified or not reported in 30% of the included patients. The most frequently isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli (25%), Bacteroides spp. (17%), and Streptococcus spp. (15%). The treatment of pylephlebitis consists initially of broad-spectrum antibiotics that should be tailored upon bacterial identification and continued for at least four to six weeks after symptom presentation. There is no recommendation for prescribing anticoagulants to all patients with pylephlebitis. However, they should be administered in patients with thrombosis progression on repeat imaging or persistent fever despite proper antibiotic therapy to increase the rates of thrombus resolution or decrease the overall mortality, which is approximately 14%.

The diagnostic value of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in detecting septic thrombosis in patients with central venous catheter-related Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia

PURPOSE

Septic thrombosis often complicates Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) in patients with a central venous catheter. Currently there is no reference standard for diagnosis. We describe the diagnostic value of [¹⁸F]FDG-PET/CT imaging in a patient cohort and the potential contribution of quantitative measurements in detecting septic thrombosis.

METHODS

We selected patients with catheter-related SAB from our institutional database (2013-2020). The contribution of [¹⁸F]FDG-PET/CT on clinical diagnosis of septic thrombosis was evaluated. Standardized Uptake Values (SUV) were measured and compared with a composite reference standard (clinical signs, initial [¹⁸F]FDG-PET/CT result, Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) meeting outcome) to identify a cut-off value for detecting septic thrombosis.

RESULTS

We identified 93 patients with a catheter-related SAB. Quantitative measurements were possible for 43/56 patients in whom a [¹⁸F]FDG-PET/CT scan was performed. Septic thrombosis was clinically diagnosed in 30% (13/43) of the cases. In 85% of these cases, significant [¹⁸F]FDG-PET/CT uptake at the site of the thrombus was the deciding factor for diagnosis of septic thrombosis during the MDT meeting. All mean SUV's of thrombotic lesions were higher in patients with clinically proven septic thrombosis compared to patients in whom this diagnosis was rejected (p < 0.001). A SUV_peak thrombus/SUV_mean blood ratio of 1.6 (AUC-ROC value 0.982) as cut-off to differentiate between septic thrombosis and non-septic thrombosis had a sensitivity of 92% (95% CI 64-100) and specificity of 89% (95% CI 65-99). An algorithm was designed to guide diagnosis of septic thrombosis.

CONCLUSION

Quantitative [¹⁸F]FDG-PET/CT-derived parameters seem helpful to differentiate between septic and non-septic thrombosis in patients with catheter-related SAB.

Duodenal Diverticulitis Accompanied by Portal Vein Thrombosis Treated with Endoscopic Therapy

A 44-year-old woman presented with right upper abdominal pain and nausea with a 4-day duration. An abdominopelvic CT scan revealed a 2.3-cm sized cystic lesion in the duodenum with inflammatory changes and partial thrombosis in the distal main portal vein. Empirical antibiotics were initiated considering acute duodenal diverticulitis, but the symptoms worsened. Side-viewing duodenoscopy revealed purulent fluid draining spontaneously from a small diverticular opening. After enlarging the opening using an extraction balloon, sweeping followed by saline irrigation was performed, and pus and food debris gushed out into the duodenal lumen. The patient recovered rapidly and was discharged uneventfully on the 5th day post-hospitalization with oral antibiotics and warfarin. A follow-up CT scan and duodenoscopy 1 month later revealed a normal-appearing duodenal diverticulum and complete resolution of the portal vein thrombosis. This paper reports a rare case of portal vein thrombosis associated with duodenal diverticulitis. Overall, endoscopic therapy can be effective when conservative management fails and might be a viable alternative to surgery for treating duodenal diverticulitis.

Endovascular repair using a covered stent for a ruptured infected aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery after pancreaticoduodenectomy: a case report

BACKGROUND

Delayed arterial hemorrhage after pancreaticoduodenectomy is a life-threatening complication. There are no reports about infected aneurysms of the superior mesenteric artery after pancreaticoduodenectomy without clinically relevant pancreatic fistula.

CASE PRESENTATION

A 78-year-old woman with borderline resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma involving the superior mesenteric arterial nerve plexus underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with en bloc resection of the superior mesenteric vein and the superior mesenteric arterial nerve plexus after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. On postoperative day 14, she had bacteremia and sudden fever with chills. During the postoperative course, macroscopic abscesses or distinct infectious signs, including pancreatic fistula or bile fistula, were not present, but pylephlebitis was observed. After the antimicrobial treatment course, the patient was discharged. After 17 days, she was hospitalized for melena. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography showed a ruptured aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery into the small intestine without a major intraabdominal abscess. E. coli was isolated from blood cultures. The patient was diagnosed with a ruptured infected aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery. She was treated successfully with a covered stent by the cardiology team. There was no recurrence of bleeding at the 4-month follow-up, and the stent was patent in all subsequent computed tomography scans.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular repair using a covered stent was effective in palliating acute bleeding from an infected aneurysm of the superior mesenteric artery.

IV Leiomyomatosis on FDG PET/CT

A 48-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of right lower extremity edema. Clinical examination only showed right lower limb swelling. Routine laboratory examination revealed no abnormal results. Abdominal ultrasonography identified uterine leiomyoma and soft tissue masses. An abdominal CT demonstrated a continuous mass extending from the right internal and external iliac vein into the common iliac vein and inferior vena cava. To distinguish the mass from malignancy, the patient underwent PET/CT scan which showed increased FDG activity in the mass. However, histopathological examination proved the mass to be IV leiomyomatosis.

The diagnostic role of (18)F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in patients with fever of unknown origin

BACKGROUND

Identification of aetiology for fever of unknown origin (FUO) is challenging, due to the high rates of undiagnosed cases. The current diagnostic approach includes initially first-line procedures such as general examination and various laboratory tests and basic imaging techniques followed by second-line tests such as more advanced imaging techniques including (18)F fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG PET) and tissue biopsies. If no diagnosis is obtained, more invasive measures may be in order such as liver biopsy and exploratory laparotomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This review article is based on the relative published material found on MEDLINE and PubMed up to August 2014. We looked for the terms 'fever of unknown origin, FDG PET' in combination with 'cancer, infection and autoimmune disease'.

RESULTS

Several clinical studies have investigated the utility of the FDG PET during the diagnostic approach of FUO. Recent evidence suggests that FDG PET has the advantage of total body imaging and may depict all common causes of FUO such as infections, noninfectious inflammatory causes and tumours because they all exhibit glucose hypermetabolism. Depiction of an abnormal lesion on FDG PET could guide clinicians to the next diagnostic procedure (another imaging method, culture, biopsy or surgery) to establish the diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Emerging evidence suggests that FDG PET, when available, may provide critical diagnostic information early during evaluation of FUO.

Pylephlebitis in a previously healthy emergency department patient with appendicitis

Pylephlebitis is a septic thrombophlebitis of the portal vein that is associated with multiple suppurative abdominal infections, such as diverticulitis, appendicitis, cholangitis, and cholecystitis. We describe a case of pylephlebitis in a patient with fever and diffuse, poorly localized abdominal pain who was eventually diagnosed with appendicitis. We aim to increase awareness of this condition among emergency physicians, as timely initiation of antibiotics and expedited surgical resection may improve outcomes in this potentially fatal disease.

(18)F-FDG PET in the evaluation of acuity of deep vein thrombosis

PURPOSE

F-FDG PET has been used for vascular disease, but its role in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) remains prospectively unexplored.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Whole-body F-FDG PET/CT scans were performed in patients 1 to 10 weeks after onset of symptomatic DVT (n = 12) and in control subjects without DVT (n = 24). The metabolic activity (SUVmax) of thrombosed and contralateral nonthrombosed vein segments was determined. The sensitivity and specificity of F-FDG PET/CT for the diagnosis of DVT were determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. In 2 patients with DVT, changes in the metabolic activity of thrombosed vein segments in serial F-FDG PET scans.

RESULTS

The metabolic activity in thrombosed veins [SUVmax, 2.41 (0.75)] was visually appreciable and significantly higher than in nonthrombosed veins in either the contralateral extremity of patients with DVT [SUVmax, 1.09 (0.25), P = 0.007] or control subjects [1.21 (0.22), P < 0.001]. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for SUVmax was 0.9773 (P < 0.001), indicating excellent accuracy. An SUVmax threshold of greater than 1.645 was 87.5% sensitive and 100% specific for DVT. Metabolic activity in thrombosed veins correlated significantly with time from DVT symptom onset (decrease in SUVmax of 0.02/d, P < 0.05). Best-fit-line analyses suggested that approximately 84 to 91 days after acute DVT, the maximum metabolic activity of thrombosed veins would return to normal levels.

CONCLUSIONS

F-FDG PET/CT is accurate for detecting acute symptomatic, proximal DVT. Metabolic activity in thrombosed veins decreases with time, suggesting that F-FDG PET may be helpful in assessing the age of the clot.

The role of 18F-FDG PET or PET/CT in the detection of fever of unknown origin

Even with the recent advance in diagnostic tools and techniques, fever of unknown origin (FUO) remains a clinical challenge. A wide range of diseases, mainly infections, autoimmune conditions (inflammatory diseases), malignancies and miscellaneous can cause FUO. Positron emission tomography (PET) or positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scanning makes a great contribution to the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of FUO due to the high sensitivity of pathological accumulation of 18F-FDG. The diagnostic yield of PET/CT is higher than traditional radiographic imaging and other nuclear medicine scanning. Owing to the numerous advantages of PET/CT including high sensitivity and the ability to perform whole-body scans, many rare diseases presenting with FUO can be detected and the spectrum of diseases that can exhibit FUO has been increasing. Recent studies utilizing FUO are discussed in this paper. However, there are limited data available about the role of 18F-FDG PET or PET/CT in evaluation of FUO.

Pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma: the role of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography in monitoring response to treatment

We report the case of 58-year-old man with pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma. He initially presented with cough, right-sided chest pain, and shortness of breath. Although the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism had been considered, chest radiograph and pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy showed a mass in the right hilum and no perfusion in the right lung. (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission computed tomography (FDGPET) showed increased FDG uptake in the mass obstructing the right pulmonary artery. Fine-needle biopsy revealed a pathological diagnosis of pulmonary artery intimal sarcoma. The patient was successfully treated with radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. FDG-PET was used for monitoring the response to therapy.

Pylephlebitis: an overview of non-cirrhotic cases and factors related to outcome

Pylephlebitis is a condition with significant morbidity and mortality. We review herein 100 relevant case reports published since 1971. Eighty-one patients were reported with acute pylephlebitis, while the remaining patients had chronic pylephlebitis. The most common predisposing infections leading to pylephlebitis were diverticulitis and appendicitis. Cultures from blood or other tissues were positive in 77%. The infection was polymicrobial in half of the patients and the most common isolates were Bacteroides spp, Escherichia coli and Streptococcus spp. Thrombosis was extended to the superior mesenteric vein (SMV), splenic vein, and intrahepatic branches of the portal vein (PV) in 42%, 12%, and 39%, respectively. Antibiotics were administered in all and anticoagulation in 35 cases. Patients who received anticoagulation had a favourable outcome compared to those who received antibiotics alone (complete recanalization 25.7% vs 14.8% (p > 0.05), no recanalization 5.7% vs 22.2% (p < 0.05), and death 5.7% vs 22.2% (p < 0.01)). Cases with complete recanalization had prompt diagnosis and management and two-thirds were recently published. Nineteen patients died; the majority of these (73.7%) died over the period 1971-1990. In conclusion, pylephlebitis remains an entity with high morbidity and mortality, but modern imaging modalities have facilitated an earlier diagnosis and have improved the prognosis. Anticoagulation has a rather beneficial effect on patients with pylephlebitis.

[Septic pylephlebitis associated with Enterobacter cloacae septicemia]

Septic pylephlebitis or purulent thrombosis of the portal venous system generally results from a progressive extension of suppurated thrombophlebitis, secondary to an intrabdominal infection. Germs most often found are Escherichia coli and Streptococcus, isolation of Enterobacter cloacae is unusual. We report a particular observation of septic pylephlebitis associated with E. cloacae bacteremia, without biliary, digestive or pancreatic lesion on the CT-scan. The antibiotic sensitivity pattern of the isolated germ and the negative epidemiologic investigation pled in favour of community acquired infection. The infection resolved with antibiotics and anticoagulation, followed by total repermeation of the portal system.

(18)F-FDG PET/CT for discrimination between tumor extension and blood thrombus in pancreatic adenocarcinoma associated with portal vein thrombosis

Pancreatic cancer is a malignancy with an extremely poor prognosis. Less than 3 % of patients are alive 5 years after diagnosis. Pancreatic neoplasms represent a possible but uncommon etiology of portal venous invasion. It is important to differentiate the nature of the thrombus, if it is a bland thrombus or is a direct tumor extension. Intense uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose ((18)F-FDG) has been reported in portal vein tumor thrombus. We present a case of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and clinical findings of portal hypertension due to portal vein thrombosis. (18)F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) evaluation discarded a tumor thrombus; imaging findings of the pancreatic tumor and the bland thrombus are presented.

Tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava from colon cancer detected by 18F-FDG-PET

We present a case of inferior vena cava (IVC) tumor thrombus detected by fluorine- 18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG-PET). A man underwent operations for the treatment of sigmoid colon cancer at the age of 63. Because tumor markers [carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CA19-9] were increased at the age of 67, abdominal contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) was performed. CT revealed IVC dilatation, including a low-attenuation area. 18F-FDG-PET was performed to make the differential diagnosis between tumor thrombus and clot. 18F-FDG-PET showed that 18F-FDG had accumulated in the IVC region. We considered the IVC tumor thrombus because of the 18F-FDG uptake in the IVC region and the patient's clinical course. To our knowledge, there are a few reports concerning 18F-FDG-PET and IVC tumor thrombus. 18F-FDG-PET may be useful in diagnosing tumor thrombus.

La tomographie d'émission de positons en médecine interne : applications actuelles et perspectives d'avenir

PURPOSE

Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is a promising imaging technique that has already proven effective in modifying patient care in oncology. Fluorodeoxyglucose still remains the main radiopharmaceutical agent routinely used for PET imaging. A growing interest has recently lead to broaden PET research on benign disorders. The field of inflammatory or immune diseases and globally the field of internal medicine could also be impacted by FDG-PET.

MAIN POINTS

Great vessels vasculitides and fever of unknown origin have both been studied by several teams and could become indications for PET. In addition, current indications now extend to paraneoplastic syndromes. It is thus possible to foresee that the clinical applications for PET will continue to expand in these patients.

PERSPECTIVES AND PROJECTS

In the future, inflammatory arthritis, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, systemic erythematous lupus, histiocytosis, or pulmonary and retroperitoneal fibrosis might benefit from PET even if, available data remains scarce to this day. Although PET will probably alter the landscape of patient management in internal medicine in the near future, additional clinical research is still needed to ascertain the exact role of PET.

Diagnosis of aseptic deep venous thrombosis of the upper extremity in a cancer patient using fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/ computerized tomography (FDG PET/CT)

We describe a patient with a history of recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue and abnormal FDG uptake in the left arm during a re-staging FDG PET/CT. After revision of the patient's clinical history, tests and physical exam, the abnormal FDG uptake was found to correspond to an extensive aseptic deep venous thrombosis of the upper extremity.

Septic thrombophlebitis: diagnosis and management

Septic thrombophlebitis, as a result of invasion from adjacent nonvascular infections, includes conditions such as Lemierre syndrome (internal jugular vein septic thrombophlebitis), pylephlebitis (portal vein septic thrombophlebitis), and septic thrombophlebitis of the dural sinuses and the pelvic veins. All of these conditions are associated with a very high mortality if untreated. Appropriate antibacterial therapy dramatically improves the outcome of these infections and results in a low mortality rate, with the notable exception of septic thrombophlebitis of the dural sinuses. The endovascular nature of these infections results in secondary metastatic disease, including pneumonia, endocarditis, and arthritis due to septic embolization and/or hematogenous bacterial spread. The appropriate diagnosis and management of these infections depends on a high degree of clinical suspicion, the use of imaging studies, and early initiation of empiric antibacterial therapy. In this article, we review the diagnosis and management of septic thrombophlebitis, focusing on Lemierre syndrome, pylephlebitis, and septic thrombophlebitis of the pelvic veins.

Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor With Portal Vein Tumor Thrombus: PET Demonstration

Tumor thrombus differentiates itself from bland thrombus by its contrast enhancement features on cross-sectional imaging and its intense uptake of F-18 FDG on PET as a result of its hypervascularity and high metabolic neoplastic activity. This PET pattern has been reported in cases of renal cell carcinoma and adrenal cortical carcinoma with invasion of the inferior vena cava. Tumor thrombus may involve the superior mesenteric and portal veins in patients with abdominal or pelvic malignancy. The author presents a case of recurrent pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor with mesenteric and portal venous thrombotic invasion imaged by PET and computed tomography.

Applications of fluorodeoxyglucose-PET imaging in the detection of infection and inflammation and other benign disorders

FDG-PET has great potential in the evaluation of a variety of inflammatory and infectious disorders and possibly other benign disorders. FDG-PET is very helpful in the evaluation of chronic osteomyelitis, sarcoidosis, FUO, and differentiating toxoplasmosis from lymphoma in the central nervous system in HIV-positive patients. The assessment of efficacy of FDG-PET in the evaluation of arthroplasty-associated infection, large-vessel vasculitis, and other inflammatory and infectious disorders is ongoing but seems quite promising at this time.