Nuclear Medicine Imaging of Vascular Prosthesis Infections

Vascular prosthesis infection is a devastating complication of vascular reconstructive surgery. Although the use of antibiotics has reduced its incidence, this complication must always be taken into consideration, since infection can occur years after implantation. Infections can be divided into early onset or late onset, depending on the time they occur after vascular surgery. It is crucial to promptly identify and treat the infection, due to high morbidity and mortality associated with this condition. Several imaging modalities are currently available for the diagnosis of vascular graft infection; among these, nuclear medicine imaging offers not only early and accurate detection but also an evaluation of treatment response.