18F-FDG PET/CT in asymptomatic patients with COVID-19: the submerged iceberg surfaces

Jpn J Radiol. 2020 Nov;38(11):1007-1011. doi: 10.1007/s11604-020-01006-3. Epub 2020 Jun 23.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this case series is to describe our experience in diagnosis and management of oncological asymptomatic patients with COVID-19 who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Methods: From March 9 to March 31, 2020, we identified 5 patients who had PET/CT findings suspicious for COVID-19, but no symptom of infection.

Results: The first three patients were administered an SARS-CoV-2 test in a COVID-dedicated center, while the fourth and fifth were tested in our institution, in accordance with a new internal procedure. The SARS-CoV-2 test yielded positive results in all five patients.

Conclusion: In this COVID-19 emergency, our task as radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians is to be able to identify imaging findings suggestive of the disease and to manage patients without overloading the hospital system.

Keywords: 18F-FDG PET/CT; Asymptomatic patients; COVID-19; Chest CT.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • Coronavirus Infections / complications*
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnostic imaging*
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / complications*
  • Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging*
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / complications*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnostic imaging*
  • Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography / methods*
  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Radiopharmaceuticals
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18