Evolution of 18 F-FDG PET/CT Findings in Patients After COVID-19: An Initial Investigation

The Journal of Nuclear Medicine

article

Andrew Thornton¹  Francesco Fraioli¹  Simon Wan¹  Helen S. Garthwaite²  Balaji Ganeshan¹  Robert I. Shortman¹  Raymond Endozo¹  Stefan Vöö¹  Irfan Kayani¹  Deena Neriman¹  Leon Menezes¹  Jamshed Bomanji¹  Toby Hilllman³  Melissa Heightman³  Joanna C. Porter²  Ashley M. Groves¹ 

[1] Institute of Nuclear Medicine;ILD Service;Post-COVID Disease Service

关键词: infectious disease;    PET/CT;    respiratory;    18F-FDG;    COVID-19;    PET/CT;   

DOI  :  10.2967/jnumed.121.262296

学科分类：医学（综合）

来源: Society of Nuclear Medicine

【 摘 要 】

The aim of this study was to assess the temporal evolution of pulmonary 18F-FDG uptake in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and post–COVID-19 lung disease (PCLD). Methods: Using our hospital’s clinical electronic records, we retrospectively identified 23 acute COVID-19, 18 PCLD, and 9 completely recovered 18F-FDG PET/CT patients during the 2 peaks of the U.K. pandemic. Pulmonary 18F-FDG uptake was measured as a lung target-to-background ratio (TBRlung = SUVmax/SUVmin) and compared with temporal stage. Results: In acute COVID-19, less than 3 wk after infection, TBRlung was strongly correlated with time after infection (rs = 0.81, P < 0.001) and was significantly higher in the late stage than in the early stage (P = 0.001). In PCLD, TBRlung was lower in patients treated with high-dose steroids (P = 0.003) and in asymptomatic patients (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Pulmonary 18F-FDG uptake in COVID-19 increases with time after infection. In PCLD, pulmonary 18F-FDG uptake rises despite viral clearance, suggesting ongoing inflammation. There was lower pulmonary 18F-FDG uptake in PCLD patients treated with steroids.

【 授权许可】

CC BY