Ces radiol. 2020, 74(4):259-263 | DOI: 10.55095/CesRadiol2020/038

SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia incidentally detection on 18F-FDG PET/CT in an asymptomatic patient during follow-up for esophagel cancerOriginal article

Jiří Doležal1, Gabriela Beladová1, Jiří Vaňásek2, Milan Vošmik3, Jan Tilšer1, Eva Kočová2
1 Oddělení nukleární medicíny LF UK a FN, Hradec Králové
2 Radiologická klinika LF UK a FN, Hradec Králové

Aim: To present a case report about 71-year-old man with a positive history of esophageal cancer with stable mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes metastases who underwent a follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging. The examination incidentally showed SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pneumonia.

Method: The patient with esophageal cancer after treatment and stable mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes metastases underwent a follow-up 18F-FDG PET/CT examination. The patients was asymptomatic without cough or fever. The PET/CT scan was obtained 60 minutes after intravenous injection of 18F-FDG. The PET scan acquisition time was 2.5 minutes per bed position and seven bed positions were necessary. Contrast-enhanced CT (venous phase) provided both full CT evaluation (including intravenous and oral contrast) and PET attenuation correction.

Results: In addition to demonstrating stable 18F-FDG-avid metastases in mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes, the PET/CT incidentally detected 18F-FDG-avid bilateral pulmonary ground glass and subpleural opacities. The finding was suggestive of COVID-19 associated pneumonia. The infection of SARS-CoV-2 was subsequently confirmed by PCR test.

Conclusion: 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging correctly detected a latent COVID-19 pneumonia in an asymptomatic patient with a positive history of esophageal cancer and mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes metastases and led to a correct anti-epidemic arrangement.

Keywords: COVID-19, PET/CT, fluorodeoxyglucose, pneumonia
Grants and funding:

Podpořeno MZ ČR - RVO (FNHK, 00179906).

Accepted: December 15, 2020; Published: December 1, 2020  Show citation

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Doležal J, Beladová G, Vaňásek J, Vošmik M, Tilšer J, Kočová E. SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia incidentally detection on 18F-FDG PET/CT in an asymptomatic patient during follow-up for esophagel cancer. Ces radiol. 2020;74(4):259-263. doi: 10.55095/CesRadiol2020/038.
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