better understand pathomechanisms and inform evidence-based guidelines.PM is an MRC-GSK EMINENT clinical training fellow with project funding outside the submitted work. PM has served on an advisory board for SOBI and receives co-funding by the
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the temporal-evolution of pulmonary 18 F-FDG-uptake in patients with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and in Post-COVID-19 Lung-Disease (PCLD).
MethodsUsing our hospital's clinical electronic records we retrospectively identified 23 Acute COVID-19, 18 PCLD and 9 completely recovered 18 F-FDG-PET/CT studies during the two peaks of UK pandemic.Pulmonary 18 F-FDG-uptake was measured as a Target-to-Background Ratio (TBRlung=SUVmax/SUVmin) and compared to temporal stage.
ResultsIn acute COVID-19, <3 weeks after infection, TBRlung was strongly correlated with time after infection (rs=0.81, p<0.001) and was significantly higher in late-stage than early-stage (p=0.001). In PCLD TBRlung was lower in patients treated with high-dose steroids (p=0.003) and asymptomatic patients (p<0.001).
ConclusionPulmonary 18 F-FDG-uptake in COVID-19 increases with time after infection. In PCLD pulmonary 18 F-FDG-uptake rises despite viral clearance suggesting on-going inflammation. There was lower pulmonary 18 F-FDG-uptake in PCLD patients treated with steroids.
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