New semiquantitative parameters in digital [18F]FDG PET/CT improve diagnostic accuracy in suspected infective endocarditis

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to identify semiquantitative parameters of [18F]FDG PET/CT using a digital PET scanner, which may increase diagnostic accuracy and readers’ confidence in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE). Results Images of 82 patients undergoing [18F]FDG...

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Main Authors: Carola Maria Bregenzer, Luisa Maria Knappe, Alexander Weissensee, Nasir Gözlügöl, Ali Afshar-Oromieh, Clemens Mingels, Christoph Gräni, Axel Rominger, Federico Caobelli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-06-01
Series:EJNMMI Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41824-025-00256-6
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author Carola Maria Bregenzer
Luisa Maria Knappe
Alexander Weissensee
Nasir Gözlügöl
Ali Afshar-Oromieh
Clemens Mingels
Christoph Gräni
Axel Rominger
Federico Caobelli
author_facet Carola Maria Bregenzer
Luisa Maria Knappe
Alexander Weissensee
Nasir Gözlügöl
Ali Afshar-Oromieh
Clemens Mingels
Christoph Gräni
Axel Rominger
Federico Caobelli
author_sort Carola Maria Bregenzer
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to identify semiquantitative parameters of [18F]FDG PET/CT using a digital PET scanner, which may increase diagnostic accuracy and readers’ confidence in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE). Results Images of 82 patients undergoing [18F]FDG PET/CT for suspected IE were visually and semiquantitatively analyzed. Standardized uptake values (SUV) of suspected foci, also normalized to liver, mediastinum and surrounding activity were calculated. For each, best thresholds were identified to diagnose endocarditis. Final diagnosis was reached by consensus in a multidisciplinary board. Semiquantitative analysis (SUVmax/SUVmax mediastinum, SUVmax/SUVmax liver, SUVpeak/SUVpeak mediastinum, SUVpeak/SUVpeak liver, SUVmax/SUVmean liver, SUVmax/SUVmean mediastinum, SUVmax focus/SUVmean focus, SUVpeak/SUVpeak surrounding) added to visual interpretation increased sensitivity (57–86%), specificity (83–93%), PPV (64–86%), NPV (79–93%) and diagnostic accuracy (74–90%) when using best SUVs thresholds (all p < 0.05). Conclusions Combining visual and semiquantitative analysis allows for a more accurate diagnosis of IE, and might be implemented into clinical routine.
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spelling doaj-art-46d9e94a1e4b44ceb87e248f25e957022025-08-20T03:31:45ZengSpringerEJNMMI Reports3005-074X2025-06-019111010.1186/s41824-025-00256-6New semiquantitative parameters in digital [18F]FDG PET/CT improve diagnostic accuracy in suspected infective endocarditisCarola Maria Bregenzer0Luisa Maria Knappe1Alexander Weissensee2Nasir Gözlügöl3Ali Afshar-Oromieh4Clemens Mingels5Christoph Gräni6Axel Rominger7Federico Caobelli8Department of Nuclear Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of BernDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of BernDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of BernDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of BernDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of BernDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of BernDepartment of Cardiology, University Hospital Bern, Inselspital, University of BernDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of BernDepartment of Nuclear Medicine, Bern University Hospital, Inselspital, University of BernAbstract Background The purpose of this study was to identify semiquantitative parameters of [18F]FDG PET/CT using a digital PET scanner, which may increase diagnostic accuracy and readers’ confidence in the diagnosis of infective endocarditis (IE). Results Images of 82 patients undergoing [18F]FDG PET/CT for suspected IE were visually and semiquantitatively analyzed. Standardized uptake values (SUV) of suspected foci, also normalized to liver, mediastinum and surrounding activity were calculated. For each, best thresholds were identified to diagnose endocarditis. Final diagnosis was reached by consensus in a multidisciplinary board. Semiquantitative analysis (SUVmax/SUVmax mediastinum, SUVmax/SUVmax liver, SUVpeak/SUVpeak mediastinum, SUVpeak/SUVpeak liver, SUVmax/SUVmean liver, SUVmax/SUVmean mediastinum, SUVmax focus/SUVmean focus, SUVpeak/SUVpeak surrounding) added to visual interpretation increased sensitivity (57–86%), specificity (83–93%), PPV (64–86%), NPV (79–93%) and diagnostic accuracy (74–90%) when using best SUVs thresholds (all p < 0.05). Conclusions Combining visual and semiquantitative analysis allows for a more accurate diagnosis of IE, and might be implemented into clinical routine.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41824-025-00256-6Infective endocarditisPET/CTInfectionSemiquantitative parameters
spellingShingle Carola Maria Bregenzer
Luisa Maria Knappe
Alexander Weissensee
Nasir Gözlügöl
Ali Afshar-Oromieh
Clemens Mingels
Christoph Gräni
Axel Rominger
Federico Caobelli
New semiquantitative parameters in digital [18F]FDG PET/CT improve diagnostic accuracy in suspected infective endocarditis
EJNMMI Reports
Infective endocarditis
PET/CT
Infection
Semiquantitative parameters
title New semiquantitative parameters in digital [18F]FDG PET/CT improve diagnostic accuracy in suspected infective endocarditis
title_full New semiquantitative parameters in digital [18F]FDG PET/CT improve diagnostic accuracy in suspected infective endocarditis
title_fullStr New semiquantitative parameters in digital [18F]FDG PET/CT improve diagnostic accuracy in suspected infective endocarditis
title_full_unstemmed New semiquantitative parameters in digital [18F]FDG PET/CT improve diagnostic accuracy in suspected infective endocarditis
title_short New semiquantitative parameters in digital [18F]FDG PET/CT improve diagnostic accuracy in suspected infective endocarditis
title_sort new semiquantitative parameters in digital 18f fdg pet ct improve diagnostic accuracy in suspected infective endocarditis
topic Infective endocarditis
PET/CT
Infection
Semiquantitative parameters
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41824-025-00256-6
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