Response to Letter Regarding Article, “18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography Enables the Detection of Recurrent Same-Site Deep Vein Thrombosis by Illuminating Recently Formed, Neutrophil-Rich Thrombus”

We thank Dr Klok and colleagues for their comments on our article.1 Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is a relatively common disorder that is associated with potentially deadly complications, such as pulmonary embolism, and carries a substantial risk for the postthrombotic syndrome and recurrent DVT. Novel strategies are needed to predict and ultimately to reduce the development of such DVT-related complications. It is in this context that our group recently presented a novel application of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) imaging of inflammation to detect recurrent DVT, a vexing clinical problem insufficiently addressed by duplex ultrasound.1 In their letter, Klok et al posed questions about aspects of the clinical substudy reported in our article. We wish to provide some answers to their inquiries. One …