1 research outputs found
[18F]FDG PET/CT in Short-Term Complications of COVID-19: Metabolic Markers of Persistent Inflammation and Impaired Respiratory Function
SARS-CoV-2 virus infects organs other than the lung, such as mediastinal lymph nodes,
spleen, and liver, but, to date, metabolic imaging studies obtained in short-term follow-ups of patients
hospitalized with severe COVID-19 infection are rare. Our objective was to evaluate the usefulness
of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in the short-term follow-up of patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia
and to explore the association of the findings with clinical prognostic markers. The prospective
study included 20 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia (November 2020–March 2021). Clinical
and laboratory test findings were gathered at admission, 48–72 h post-admission, and 2–3 months
post-discharge, when [18F]FDG-PET/CT and respiratory function tests were performed. Lung
volumes, spirometry, lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and respiratory muscle
strength were measured. Volumetric [18F]FDG-PET/CT results were correlated with laboratory
and respiratory parameters. Eleven [18F]FDG-PET/CT (55%) were positive, with hypermetabolic
mediastinal lymphadenopathy in 90.9%. Mediastinal lesion’s SUVpeak was correlated with white
cells’ count. Eleven (55%) patients had impaired respiratory function, including reduced DLCO (35%).
SUVpeak was correlated with %predicted-DLCO. TLG was negatively correlated with %predicted-
DLCO and TLC. In the short-term follow-up of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia,
[18F]FDG-PET/CT findings revealed significant detectable inflammation in lungs and mediastinal
lymph nodes that correlated with pulmonary function impairment in more than half of the patients