18F-FDG PET/CT findings of COVID-19: a series of four highly suspected cases

Incidental Findings Suggestive of COVID-19 in Asymptomatic Patients Undergoing Nuclear Medicine Procedures in a High-Prevalence Region

“…In our report, all lung lesions on CT were 18 F-FDG-positive, and in 1 patient, 18 F-FDG avidity was identified even in the mediastinal nodes. This metabolically active pattern of COVID-19 pneumonia on 18 F-FDG PET/ CT scans has been supported so far only by a cases series and a case report (11,12). Qin et al (12) described 4 cases of suspected COVID-19 pneumonia with increased 18 F-FDG uptake but no RT-PCR confirmation.…”

“…This metabolically active pattern of COVID-19 pneumonia on 18 F-FDG PET/ CT scans has been supported so far only by a cases series and a case report (11,12). Qin et al (12) described 4 cases of suspected COVID-19 pneumonia with increased 18 F-FDG uptake but no RT-PCR confirmation. In our population, 5 of 7 patients underwent RT-PCR, which confirmed COVID-19.…”

“…Although nuclear medicine procedures are unlikely to play a role in the primary diagnosis of COVID-19, the disease may be detected incidentally in asymptomatic but infected patients undergoing scans for other indications, with potentially relevant implications for further management. Patterns of COVID-19 pneumonia on 18 F-FDG PET/CT have recently been anecdotally described for symptomatic patients (10)(11)(12). The aim of the present case series is to describe our local experience in Northern Italy, triggered by an increase in incidental detection of pneumonia suspected of stemming from COVID-19 in our routine nuclear medicine services.…”

18F-FDG PET/CT and COVID-19

“…Dear Sir, we read the publication on "18F-FDG PET/CT findings of COVID-19: a series of four highly suspected cases" with a great interest [1]. Qin et al noted that "Although 18F-FDG PET/CT cannot be routinely used in an emergency setting and is generally not recommended for infectious diseases, our pilot data shed light on the potential clinical utility of this imaging technique in the differential diagnosis of complex cases [1]." We would like to share ideas and experience of this report In our countries, COVID-19 is seriously endemic.…”

COVID19 –Nuclear Medicine Departments, be prepared!

“…There are an increasing number of reports of CT findings of COVID-19 associated pneumonia 10 , and recently a short article regarding incidental findings suggestive of COVID-19 seen on the CT component of PET/CT studies 11 . In this respect, it becomes even more vital for nuclear medicine reporters to be vigilant and scrutinize the lung windows on each and every CT component as such patients may be asymptomatic and unwittingly transmitting the virus.…”