Visual Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the temporal evolution of pulmonary 18 F-FDG uptake in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and post–COVID-19 lung disease (PCLD). Methods: Using our hospital’s clinical electronic records, we retrospectively identified 23 acute COVID-19, 18 PCLD, and 9 completely recovered 18 F-FDG PET/CT patients during the 2 peaks of the U.K. pandemic. Pulmonary 18 F-FDG uptake was measured as a lung target-to-background ratio (TBR lung = SUV max /SUV min ) and compared with temporal stage. Results: In acute COVID-19, less than 3 wk after infection, TBR lung was strongly correlated with time after infection ( r s = 0.81, P < 0.001) and was significantly higher in the late stage than in the early stage ( P = 0.001). In PCLD, TBR lung was lower in patients treated with high-dose steroids ( P = 0.003) and in asymptomatic patients ( P < 0.001). Conclusion: Pulmonary 18 F-FDG uptake in COVID-19 increases with time after infection. In PCLD, pulmonary 18 F-FDG uptake rises despite viral clearance, suggesting ongoing inflammation. There was lower pulmonary 18 F-FDG uptake in PCLD patients treated with steroids.
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, Infectious disease, respiratory, PET/CT, 18F-FDG, 【초록키워드】 coronavirus disease, Evolution, Inflammation, Coronavirus disease 2019, pandemic, Infection, lung, Lung disease, pulmonary, Steroids, viral clearance, Patient, asymptomatic patients, early stage, asymptomatic patient, steroid, Visual, High-dose, acute COVID-19, late stage, was measured, increase, less, correlated, significantly higher, patients treated, 【제목키워드】 investigation, finding,