We aim to study if metabolic intensity and extent according to pathologic pulmonary 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG)-uptake may correlate with the course of COVID-19 pneumonia and potentially yield prognostic value. Moreover, we aim to assess permanent changes 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 on further 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