We aim to study if metabolic intensity and extent according to pathologic pulmonary18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-uptake may correlate with the course of COVID-19pneumonia and potentially yield prognostic value. Moreover, we aim to assess permanentchanges after Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection,such as pulmonary fibrosis and neuropsychiatric symptoms (anosmia, depression, fatigue)where evaluation with FDG-positron emission tomography (PET/CT) might have an impact onfurther patient care.
Several case studies confirmed increased FDG-uptake on PET scans corresponding to typical
pulmonary lesions on chest CT scans in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Furthermore,
increased FDG-uptake most likely caused by inflammatory changes in SARS-CoV-2 infection
were described in other organs, such as mediastinal lymph nodes, bone marrow, and the
spleen. As COVID-19 frequently presents with anosmia and on rare occasions, symptoms of
encephalitis, metabolic changes in the central nervous system (CNS) were also
investigated by FDG-PET/CT, showing hypometabolism in the olfactory gyrus and the limbic
system, while hypermetabolism was observed in the basal ganglia and the cerebellar
vermis. Late changes in pulmonary CT-morphology, most commonly interstitial thickening
and crazy paving are observed, suggesting permanent lung damage after SARS-CoV-2
infection in certain cases. Evaluation of metabolic activity of acute and late
inflammatory changes could potentially provide clinical benefit as dedicated medication
could be started to prevent further organ damage due to prolonged inflammation.
We aim to evaluate metabolic alterations in the lung parenchyma and potential
extrapulmonary locations related to to COVID-19 with FDG-PET/CT.
Radiation: FDG-PET/CT
whole-body F-18-fluoro-deoxy-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography
Inclusion Criteria:
- Inpatients with RT-PCR proven SARS-CoV-2 infection of the Department of Pulmonology
of Semmelweis University
Exclusion Criteria:
- Age<40 years for men and <45 years for women
- Pregnancy
- Clinically unstable patients
- Patients in need of mechanical ventilation support
- Patients with known malignant disease
Semmelweis University Medical Imaging Centre
Budapest, Pest, Hungary
Investigator: Pál Maurovich Horvat, MD PhD MPH
Contact: +361459-1500
okk.titkarsag@med.semmelweis-univ.hu
Pál Maurovich Horvat, MD PhD MPH
+361459-1500 - 61812
titkarsag.okk@med.semmelweis-univ.hu
Pál Maurovich Horvat, MD PhD MPH, Principal Investigator
Semmelweis University Medical Imaging Centre