Incidental CT Findings Suspicious for COVID-19–Associated Pneumonia on Nuclear Medicine Examinations
Mark Tülchinsky, Joseph S. Fotos, Einat Slonimsky
Abstract
Some patients undergoing routine SPECT/CT and PET/CT examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic may incidentally reveal findings of COVID-19-associated pneumonia (C-19AP) on localizing CT. It is critical for nuclear medicine physicians to develop diagnostic skills for timely recognition of typical findings of C-19AP on a localizing CT. Furthermore, it is our responsibility to know the optimal practices for safely isolating and managing such patients while protecting the staff, other patients at the facility, family and/or friend accompanying the patients, and the public in general from risky exposure to COVID-19 sources. We offer several steps following an encounter suspicious of C-19AP.
Topics & Concepts
MedicineCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Pneumonia2019-20 coronavirus outbreakSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)PandemicRadiologyNuclear medicinePathologyInternal medicineInfectious disease (medical specialty)DiseaseOutbreakCOVID-19 diagnosis using AIAdvanced X-ray and CT ImagingCOVID-19 Clinical Research Studies