18-FDG PET/ CT Scan in the Diagnosis and Follow-up of Chronic Q fever Aortic Valve Endocarditis

Chronic Q fever endocarditis is a rare but important infection associated with risk of morbidity and mortality. Echocardiography rarely visualises the vegetative lesion. We describe the first Australian report of chronic Q fever aortic valve endocarditis confirmed with the use of 18 –FDG PET/ CT scan. Following valvular replacement, the patient had ongoing high serological titres despite active treatment and he was managed with yearly serial PET/ CT scan to confirm the absence of active infection. The utility of serial PET /CT scan imaging as a follow-up management strategy has not been described in the literature previously and should be investigated further.