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The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of sex, age, fat mass, fasting blood glucose level (FBGL), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on blood pool activity in patients with large vessel vasculitis (LVV). Blood pool activity was measured in the superior caval vein using mean, maximum, and peak standardized uptake values corrected for body weight (SUVs) and lean body mass (SULs) in 41 fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scans of LVV patients. Sex influence on the blood pool activity was assessed with t-tests, while linear correlation analyses were used for age, fat mass, FBGL, and eGFR. Significantly higher SUVs were found in women compared with men, whereas SULs were similar between sexes. In addition, higher fat mass was associated with increased SUVs (r = 0.56 to 0.65; all p < 0.001) in the blood pool, but no correlations were found between SULs and fat mass (r = −0.25 to −0.15; all p > 0.05). Lower eGFR was associated with a higher FDG blood pool activity for all uptake values. In FDG-PET/CT studies with LVV patients, we recommend using SUL over SUV, while caution is advised in interpreting SUV and SUL measures when patients have impaired kidney function.

[18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([18F]FDG PET/CT) has proven to be a useful diagnostic tool in patients with suspected infective endocarditis (IE), but is conflicting in relation to dental procedures. Questions: Is there a correlation between [18F]FDG PET/CT findings, recent dental treatment, and an affected oral cavity? (2) Is there a correlation between infective endocarditis (IE), oral health status, and (extra)cardiac findings on [18F]FDG PET/CT? Methods: This retrospective study included 52 patients. All [18F]FDG PET/CT scans were examined visually by pattern recognition using a three-point scale and semi-quantified within the volume of interest (VOI) using SUVmax. Results: 19 patients were diagnosed with IE (group 1), 14 with possible IE (group 2), and 19 without IE based on the modified Duke criteria (group 3). No correlation was found between visual PET and SUVmax and sites of oral inflammation and infection. The visual PET scores and SUVmax were not significantly different between all groups. A significant difference in the SUVmax of the valve between all groups was observed. Conclusions: This study suggests that no correlation exists between the PET findings in the oral cavity and dental treatments or inflammation/infection. No correlation between IE, actual oral health status, and extra-cardiac findings was demonstrated. Additional research is needed to conclude whether [18F]FDG PET/CT imaging is a reliable diagnostic modality for oral inflammation and infection sites.