Cardiac multidetector computed tomography in infective endocarditis: a pictorial essay

OBJECTIVES The goals of this pictorial essay are: (1) to set out a multislice computed tomography (MSCT) imaging protocol to assess infective endocarditis (IE); (2) to give an MSCT overview of valvular and peri-valvular involvement during IE; (3) to give a CT overview of septic embolism and infectious pseudoaneurysms during IE. METHODS MSCT acquisition protocols to assess IE are performed in two different phases: the first acquisition, under electrocardiography (ECG) gating, covers the cardiac structures during first-pass iodine injection; the second acquisition covers the thorax, abdomen, pelvic and cerebral regions. RESULTS Valvular and peri-valvular lesions during IE are: vegetation-a hypodense, homogeneous, irregular mass on a valve or endocardial structure; perforation-a defect in the leaflet; valvular aneurysm-loss of the homogenous curvature of the leaflet; valvular thickening; peri-valvular abscess; pseudoaneurysm; fistula and disinsertion of a prosthetic valve. Extra-cardiac location could involve all organs. CONCLUSIONS MSCT can be considered as a useful complement in visualising the cardiac lesions of IE if echocardiography is inconclusive. MSCT is the only imaging modality that provides assessment of valvular and peri-valvular involvement, extra-cardiac lesions, and non-invasive evaluation of the coronary artery anatomy, simultaneously. MAIN MESSAGES • MSCT provides assessment of coronary anatomy, cardiac and extra-cardiac lesions. • MSCT represents an alternative to echocardiography during IE. • Surgical valve replacement is usually required if vegetation is >10 mm. • Peri-valvular extension (abscesses, pseudoaneurysm and fistulae) required surgical treatment.