Multiorganism sepsis secondary to enteric aorto-iliac graft fistulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. e234936
Author(s):  
Kelly Gatt ◽  
Pierre Ellul ◽  
John Schembri

A woman in her early 70s with a history of infrarenal aortic endarterectomy and aorto-bi-iliac Dacron grafting 4 years before presented with recurrent septicaemias, occasionally polymicrobial and caused by a wide variety of organisms. After treatment for her sixth bacteraemia, enteroscopy showed a small area of ulceration with synthetic graft material protruding into the distal duodenal lumen. This was followed by positron emission tomography/CT, which showed mild increase in tracer uptake in the same region localised by a previously placed haemoclip. Despite urgent vascular surgery to repair the duodenal fistulas and replace the grafts, the patient passed away. Our patient posed a diagnostic challenge due to repeated imaging studies of different modalities and routine endoscopy failing to show a source of sepsis. It is unique due to the variety of organisms cultured as a result of the enteric fistula.

2005 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Sand ◽  
I. Nordback

The number of small and often asymptomatic cystic lesions detected in pancreas has increased during the last decade. Historically the vast majority of the pancreatic cystic lesions were considered pseudocysts, but in recent series the incidence of various neoplastic cysts, such as intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm, serous cystadenomas and cystic endocrine tumours, has increased. The possible malignant potential in these cystic neoplasms warrants careful diagnostic workup to choose the optimal treatment for each patient. Patient's age, symptoms and a possible history of acute or chronic pancreatitis with known aetiology together with high quality imaging studies are important in the differential diagnosis between pseudocysts and neoplastic cysts. Endoscopic ultrasound, cyst fluid analysis and positron emission tomography may be used in selected patients, but the accuracy of these methods needs further investigation.


Author(s):  
Farnoosh Larti ◽  
Mohammad Amin Khadembashiri ◽  
Mehrshad Abbasi ◽  
Alborz Sherafati

Abstract Background Diagnosis of aortic graft infection is challenging, and delayed diagnosis is associated with poor prognosis. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has improved diagnostic accuracy. Case summary A patient with a history of congenital heart disease was admitted due to fever. He had a history of four cardiac surgeries, including the Bentall procedure for endocarditis. Blood cultures were negative. A semi-mobile mass was detected in the distal portion of the aortic tube graft in echocardiography. PET/CT scan was used to confirm tube graft infection and to support proceeding to cardiac surgery. Discussion Using multimodality imaging, including PET/CT scan in combination with echocardiography, can improve diagnostic accuracy for the detection of aortic tube graft infection, infection of prosthetic valves, or intra-cardiac devices, especially in high-risk surgical cases.


2006 ◽  
Vol 104 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoît Pirotte ◽  
Serge Goldman ◽  
Olivier Dewitte ◽  
Nicolas Massager ◽  
David Wikler ◽  
...  

Object The aim of this study was to evaluate the integration of positron emission tomography (PET) scanning data into the image-guided resection of brain tumors. Methods Positron emission tomography scans obtained using fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) and l-[methyl-11C]methionine (MET) were combined with magnetic resonance (MR) images in the navigational planning of 103 resections of brain tumors (63 low-grade gliomas [LGGs] and 40 high-grade gliomas [HGGs]). These procedures were performed in 91 patients (57 males and 34 females) in whom tumor boundaries could not be accurately identified on MR images for navigation-based resection. The level and distribution of PET tracer uptake in the tumor were analyzed to define the lesion contours, which in turn yielded a PET volume. The PET scanning–demonstrated lesion volume was subsequently projected onto MR images and compared with MR imaging data (MR volume) to define a final target volume for navigation-based resection—the tumor contours were displayed in the microscope’s eyepiece. Maximal tumor resection was accomplished in each case, with the intention of removing the entire area of abnormal metabolic activity visualized during surgical planning. Early postoperative MR imaging and PET scanning studies were performed to assess the quality of tumor resection. Both pre- and postoperative analyses of MR and PET images revealed whether integrating PET data into the navigational planning contributed to improved tumor volume definition and tumor resection. Metabolic information on tumor heterogeneity or extent was useful in planning the surgery. In 83 (80%) of 103 procedures, PET studies contributed to defining a final target volume different from that obtained with MR imaging alone. Furthermore, FDG-PET scanning, which was performed in a majority of HGG cases, showed that PET volume was less extended than the MR volume in 16 of 21 cases and contributed to targeting the resection to the hypermetabolic (anaplastic) area in 11 (69%) of 16 cases. Performed in 59 LGG cases and 23 HGG cases, MET-PET demonstrated that the PET volume did not match the MR volume and improved the tumor volume definition in 52 (88%) of 59 and 18 (78%) of 23, respectively. Total resection of the area of increased PET tracer uptake was achieved in 54 (52%) of 103 procedures. Conclusions Imaging guidance with PET scanning provided independent and complementary information that helped to assess tumor extent and plan tumor resection better than with MR imaging guidance alone. The PET scanning guidance could help increase the amount of tumor removed and target image-guided resection to tumor portions that represent the highest evolving potential.


1987 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 214-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Herholz ◽  
C. S. Patlak

An analytical method based on Taylor expansions was developed to analyze errors caused by tissue heterogeneity in dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) measurements. Some general rules concerning the effect of parameter variances and covariances were derived. The method was further applied to various compartmental models currently used for measurement of blood flow, capillary permeability, glucose metabolism, and tracer binding. Blood flow and capillary permeability are shown to be generally underestimated in heterogenous tissue, the underestimation being more severe for slowly decaying, constant or increasing input functions rather than for bolus input, and increasing with measurement time. Typical errors caused by the heterogeneity due to insufficient separation between gray and white matter by a PET scanner with full width at half-maximum (FWHM)= 5 to 10 mm resolution range between–0.9 and–6% in dynamic CBF measurements with intravenous (i. v.) bolus injection of 15O-water or inhalation of 18F-fluoromethane and total measurement times of6 or 10 min, respectively. Binding or metabolic rates determined with tracers that are essentially trapped in tissue (e.g., FDG for measurement of cerebral glucose metabolism) are only slightly overestimated (0.5–3.0%) at typical measurement times and are essentially independent of the shape of the input function. The error increases considerably if tracer accumulation is very slow, however, or if short measurement times [<5/(k2 + k3)] are used. Some rate constants are also subject to larger errors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 152 (6) ◽  
pp. 818-827
Author(s):  
Bianca M Van Der Nest ◽  
Connull Leslie ◽  
David Joske ◽  
Dejan Radeski ◽  
Rohen White ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To describe three further cases of anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) occurring in patients with preexisting chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We also reviewed the literature of previously published cases. Methods We discuss the clinical features, histopathology, and outcomes for three patients with ALCL and CLL from Perth, Australia. The cases were also included in a literature review of existing cases and comparisons were made with our cohort. Results The three patients included two men (aged 77 and 74 years) and one woman (aged 66 years). All had a history of untreated CLL with diagnosis established 4 to 16 years before. They had lymphadenopathy and/or cutaneous/soft tissue lesions that proved to be ALCL, ALK+ (one case) or ALCL, ALK– (two cases). Conclusions Further research is required in this area to establish prognostic and management recommendations. Increasing numbers of cases are being described. Positron emission tomography with computed tomography was not useful in our cohort for diagnosing progression.


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