RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Evolution of 18F-FDG PET/CT Findings in Patients After COVID-19: An Initial Investigation JF Journal of Nuclear Medicine JO J Nucl Med FD Society of Nuclear Medicine SP 270 OP 273 DO 10.2967/jnumed.121.262296 VO 63 IS 2 A1 Andrew Thornton A1 Francesco Fraioli A1 Simon Wan A1 Helen S. Garthwaite A1 Balaji Ganeshan A1 Robert I. Shortman A1 Raymond Endozo A1 Stefan Vöö A1 Irfan Kayani A1 Deena Neriman A1 Leon Menezes A1 Jamshed Bomanji A1 Toby Hilllman A1 Melissa Heightman A1 Joanna C. Porter A1 Ashley M. Groves YR 2022 UL http://jnm.snmjournals.org/content/63/2/270.abstract AB The aim of this study was to assess the temporal evolution of pulmonary 18F-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 18F-FDG PET/CT patients during the 2 peaks of the U.K. pandemic. Pulmonary 18F-FDG uptake was measured as a lung target-to-background ratio (TBRlung = SUVmax/SUVmin) and compared with temporal stage. Results: In acute COVID-19, less than 3 wk after infection, TBRlung was strongly correlated with time after infection (rs = 0.81, P < 0.001) and was significantly higher in the late stage than in the early stage (P = 0.001). In PCLD, TBRlung was lower in patients treated with high-dose steroids (P = 0.003) and in asymptomatic patients (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Pulmonary 18F-FDG uptake in COVID-19 increases with time after infection. In PCLD, pulmonary 18F-FDG uptake rises despite viral clearance, suggesting ongoing inflammation. There was lower pulmonary 18F-FDG uptake in PCLD patients treated with steroids.