The Significance of Cardiac Inflammatory Protocol of FDG PET-CT in the Diagnosis and Response Assessment of Tuberculous Pericarditis: A Case Report

Articles in Press

Document Type : Case report

Authors

1 Jawaharlal Institute of Post-graduate Medical Education and Research

2 Nuclear Medicine, Additional professor ; Head of the department, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India.

3 Department of Cardiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research

10.22038/aojnmb.2025.80912.1580

Abstract

Tuberculous pericarditis (TBP) is a rare but potentially life-threatening manifestation of tuberculosis, often presenting with nonspecific symptoms and varied clinical features. The disease is characterized by inflammation of the pericardium due to mycobacterium tuberculosis, leading to complications such as effusion, tamponade, and, in chronic cases, constrictive pericarditis. TBP is associated with high mortality, particularly if not promptly diagnosed and treated. The use of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (18FDG PET-CT) has proven invaluable in diagnosing and managing TBP. This imaging modality allows for precise localization of inflammatory activity and can differentiate TBP from other causes of pericardial disease. Additionally, the cardiac inflammation protocol of 18FDG PET-CT enhances the accuracy of imaging by supressing the normal physiological FDG uptake in the myocardium. In this case report, we highlight the pivotal role of the cardiac inflammation protocol of 18FDG PET-CT in both the initial diagnosis and subsequent response assessment of TBP, underscoring its importance in clinical practice.

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Asia Oceania Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Biology

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 30 March 2025

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