The role of 18F-FDG PET for COVID-19 infection: myth versus reality

Manole

Medicine and Pharmacy Reports

et al. 2020

Background. The aim of the study was to present the PET/CT imaging features in a small series of asymptomatic patients with known cancer pathologies, infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which were incidentally discovered during their monitoring scan of F18-FDG PET/CT. Methods. We included in our study a number of five cases (3 female and 2 male) out of 478 patients examined by F18-FDG PET/CT between March – April 2020, with confirmed diagnostic of cancer. Four patients had lung damages suggestive for the mentioned viral infection and 1 patient had multiple lung metastases from thyroid cancer. All patients were asymptomatic for acute respiratory disease at the time of examination, being subsequently confirmed for the viral infection by specific PCR analysis. Results. The asymptomatic positive SARS-CoV-2 cancer patients discovered incidentally in PET/CT F18-FDG represent 0.83% and their imaging characteristics were suggestive for high FDG activity in the lung despite the lack of respiratory symptoms. Conclusion. The SARS CoV-2 viral infection in asymptomatic cancer patients is a very rare possibility, but represents a challenging scenario both for the differential diagnosis in cancer and also for the epidemiologic context.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

Section: Background and Aimsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Asymptomatic COVID–19 cancer patients incidentally discovered during F18-FDG PET/CT monitoring

Manole

Medicine and Pharmacy Reports

et al. 2020

Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging

“…Therefore, these data show that incidental FDG-PET/CT findings suggestive of Covid-19 infection may occur and hence it is fundamental that nuclear medicine physicians acquire diagnostic skills to recognize typical findings on the co-registered CT images. In this regard, the potential role of FDG-PET/CT in patients with known or suspicious Covid-19 infection has not been demonstrated [13]. An increased FDG uptake in pulmonary or lymph nodal lesions in patients with Covid-19 infection is not surprising as acute inflammatory and infectious pulmonary lesions are characterized by augmented metabolic activity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

FDG-PET/CT imaging during the Covid-19 emergency: a southern Italian perspective

Maurea

Mainolfi

Bombace

et al. 2020

Purpose To assess the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on FDG-PET/CT work volume and to evaluate the occurrence of abnormal imaging findings suspicious or potentially diagnostic for interstitial pneumonia by Covid-19 infection in south Italy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the number and the findings of FDG-PET/CT studies acquired between February and April 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic at the University of Napoli Federico II. The number and the findings of FDG-PET/CT studies acquired in the corresponding period of 2019 were also assessed for direct comparison. Results The number of FDG-PET/CT studies performed during the pandemic (n = 299) and in the corresponding period of 2019 (n = 335) were comparable. The percentage of abnormal FDG-PET/CT findings, suspicious for interstitial pneumonia by Covid-19 infection, was significantly higher during the pandemic (9%) compared with that found in the corresponding period of 2019 (4%) (χ 2 5.45, P = 0.02). No significant differences were observed in the distribution of Covid-19 reporting and data system (CO-RADS) classification and in the maximum standardized uptake value between the pandemic (2.6 ± 2.2) and the corresponding period of 2019 (3.2 ± 1.4). Of note, patients with abnormal imaging findings during the pandemic time had clinical data and/or laboratory tests negative for Covid-19 infection. Conclusion Despite the restrictive medical measures for the emergency, the number of FDG-PET/CT studies was unchanged during the pandemic compared with the previous year. Our findings also indicate that Covid-19 infection was contained in our series of patients from southern Italy.

“…The results of this survey were in agreement with studies emphasizing the role of F18-FDG during COVID-19. [12][13][14][15] Some studies reported the need for lung, bone, and inflammation -related radiopharmaceuticals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Radiopharmacy Activities: Preliminary report: first international survey

Al-Saeedi

2020

Preprint

Rationale, aims, and objectives: The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted normal activities across the world, from economy to socialization, and claiming hundreds of thousands of lives. The activities in radiopharmacy laboratories across the globe have been affected significantly. This survey was conducted to assess the effect of COVID-19 on radiopharmacy and activities going on in the laboratories around the world. This was meant to undertake a preliminary record of the continuing survey. Methods: A three-sectioned questionnaire with 12 questions was distributed to the professional working on radiopharmacy laboratories. The sections included demographic information, the effect of the pandemic on the regular operation on a radiopharmacy, and the measures taken to prevent the spread of the virus among the laboratory staff. Random sampling approach was used to select 100 respondents, including staff and radiochemists, across different parts of the world. Results: The survey demonstrated that the pandemic hugely impacted activities in a radiopharmacy laboratory. 98% of the respondents reported major disruptions in the normal schedule in the laboratory. Even though some laboratories continued working normally, strict measures were put in place to prevent the spread of the virus among the staff. In many radiopharmacy laboratories, diagnostic procedures and tests quantitatively decreased. The survey reported positron emission radiopharmaceutical fluorodeoxyglucose F-18 (F18-FDG) as the frequently organ imaging radiopharmaceutical during the pandemic. Conclusions: The survey showed that COVID-19 has negatively impacted activities in a radiopharmacy laboratory, consequently affecting research activities.