¹⁸FDG-PET/CT findings in COVID-19: a single centre retrospective radiological review

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the infectious disease COVID-19, was declared a global pandemic in March 2020. As radiology departments recommence 18 FDG-PET/CT imaging, it is likely that both asymptomatic and specific symptomatic patients with COVID-19 infection will be imaged, particularly if the disease becomes endemic in the UK. We review the clinical scenarios where 18 FDG-PET/CT could be performed in COVID-19 positive patients. Our local protocol for safely scanning known COVID-19 positive patients is described, highlighting considerations for other departments. We present the findings from a series of known COVID-19 positive patients and two further asymptomatic cases evaluated with 18 FDG-PET/CT. Classic, indeterminate, normal and non-COVID-19 manifestations on both the 18 FDG-PETand low dose CT component are described as an aid for radiologists and nuclear medicine physicians when reporting 18 FDG PET/CT.