Diffuse FDG uptake of the bilateral atrial walls in a patient with atrial fibrillation

Area of Science:

• Nuclear medicine
• Cardiology
• Medical imaging

Background:

• Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is a common cardiac arrhythmia.
• Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) is used for various diagnostic purposes.
• Abnormal F-FDG uptake in the atria can be associated with malignancy or inflammation.

Observation:

• A 59-year-old male patient presented with palpitations.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) confirmed atrial fibrillation.
• F-FDG PET/CT revealed diffuse F-FDG uptake in the bilateral atrial walls.
• Enhanced chest CT showed normal atrial and ventricular morphology.

Findings:

• The observed diffuse F-FDG uptake in the atrial walls was attributed to atrial fibrillation.
• This finding suggests that cardiac activity in atrial fibrillation can lead to increased metabolic activity detectable by F-FDG PET/CT.
• The absence of structural abnormalities on enhanced chest CT supports the functional origin of the FDG uptake.

Implications:

• Atrial fibrillation should be considered in the differential diagnosis of abnormal atrial F-FDG accumulation.
• This case expands the understanding of F-FDG PET/CT findings in cardiac conditions.
• Clinicians should correlate imaging findings with clinical presentation, including arrhythmias, for accurate diagnosis.