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Al-Saeedi F, Rajendran P, Tipre D, Aladwani H, Alenezi S, Alqabandi M, Alkhamis A, Redha A, Mohammad A, Ahmad F, Abdulnabi Y, Alfadhly A, Alrasheedi D. The effect of COVID-19 on nuclear medicine and radiopharmacy activities: A global survey. Sci Rep 2023; 13:10489. [PMID: 37380735 PMCID: PMC10307835 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36925-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, COVID-19 affected radiopharmaceutical laboratories. This study sought to determine the economic, service, and research impacts of COVID-19 on radiopharmacy. This online survey was conducted with the participation of employees from nuclear medicine and radiopharmaceutical companies. The socioeconomic status of the individuals was collected. The study was participated by 145 medical professionals from 25 different countries. From this work, it is evident that 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (2-[18F]FDG), and 99mTc-labeled macro aggregated albumin 99mTc-MAA were necessary radiopharmaceuticals used by 57% (83/145and 34% (49/145;) respondents, respectively for determining how COVID infections affect a patient's body. The normal scheduling procedure for the radiopharmacy laboratory was reduced by more than half (65%; 94/145). In COVID-19, 70% (102/145) of respondents followed the regulations established by the local departments. Throughout the pandemic, there was a 97% (141/145) decrease in all staffing recruitment efforts. The field of nuclear medicine research, as well as the radiopharmaceutical industry, were both adversely affected by COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Al-Saeedi
- The Department of Nuclear Medicine, College of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. box: 24923, 13110, Safat, Kuwait.
| | - Peramaiyan Rajendran
- Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, King Faisal University, AlAhsa, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Dental College & Hospitals, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, 600 077, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Dnyanesh Tipre
- Translational Biomedical Imaging Laboratory, Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Hassan Aladwani
- College of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. box: 24923, 13110, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Salem Alenezi
- College of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. box: 24923, 13110, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Maryam Alqabandi
- The Department of Nuclear Medicine, College of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. box: 24923, 13110, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Abdullah Alkhamis
- College of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. box: 24923, 13110, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Abdulmohsen Redha
- College of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. box: 24923, 13110, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Ahmed Mohammad
- College of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. box: 24923, 13110, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Fahad Ahmad
- College of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. box: 24923, 13110, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Yaaqoup Abdulnabi
- College of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. box: 24923, 13110, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Altaf Alfadhly
- College of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. box: 24923, 13110, Safat, Kuwait
| | - Danah Alrasheedi
- College of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. box: 24923, 13110, Safat, Kuwait
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Griffin MT, Werner TJ, Alavi A, Revheim ME. The value of FDG-PET/CT imaging in the assessment, monitoring, and management of COVID-19. EUROPEAN PHYSICAL JOURNAL PLUS 2023; 138:283. [PMID: 37008755 PMCID: PMC10040919 DOI: 10.1140/epjp/s13360-023-03797-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The pathogenesis of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) involves cytokine-driven recruitment and accumulation of inflammatory cells at sites of infection. These activated neutrophils, monocytes, and effector T cells are highly glycolytic and thus appear as [18]F-labeled fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) avid sites on positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. FDG-PET-computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) is a highly sensitive modality for the detection, monitoring, and assessing response related to COVID-19 disease activity that holds significant clinical relevance. To date, concerns over cost, access, and undue radiation exposure have limited the use of FDG-PET/CT in COVID-19 to a small number of individuals where PET-based interventions were already indicated. In this review, we summarize the existing literature on the use of FDG-PET in the detection and monitoring of COVID-19 with particular focus on several areas of clinical relevance that warrant future research: (1) incidental early detection of subclinical COVID-19 in patients who have undergone FDG-PET for other underlying diseases, (2) standardized quantitative assessment of COVID-19 disease burden at specific points in time, and (3) analysis of FDG-PET/CT data leading to better characterization of COVID-19 pathogenesis. Employing FDG-PET/CT for these purposes may allow for the earliest detection of COVID-19-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE), standardized monitoring of disease progression and response to treatment, and better characterization of the acute and chronic complications of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew T. Griffin
- Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA USA
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Thomas J. Werner
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Abass Alavi
- Department of Radiology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Mona-Elisabeth Revheim
- Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Postbox 4950, 0424 Nydalen, Oslo, Norway
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Postbox 1078, 0316 Blindern, Oslo, Norway
- The Intervention Center, Division of Technology and Innovation, Oslo University Hospital, Postbox 4950, 0424 Oslo, Norway
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Okudan B, Seven B, Ural B, Çapraz M. Detection of COVID-19 Incidentally in 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT for Restaging of Prostate Cancer. Curr Med Imaging 2022; 18:1532-1535. [PMID: 35490331 DOI: 10.2174/1573405618666220427134647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A series of pneumonia cases with clinical presentations of viral pneumonia secondary to new coronavirus and subsequent global transmission arose in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019. Several cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been described incidentally in positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) as a result of the pandemic. Herein, we describe the findings of a patient with unknown COVID-19 in PET/CT with the other radiopharmaceutical, 68Ga-labeled prostatespecific membrane antigen (68Ga-PSMA). CASE REPORT A 69-year-old man had previously undergone radical prostatectomy for adenocarcinoma. 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT imaging was performed due to biochemical recurrence. 68Ga-PSMA uptake in the prostate bed suggestive of local recurrence was detected in PET/CT images. Also, bilateral groundglass opacities with slightly increased 68Ga-PSMA uptake were seen in the lungs, suspected of COVID-19. A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test has confirmed the infection. CONCLUSION Even in asymptomatic patients, nuclear medicine departments must be aware of the possibility of COVID-19, take appropriate post-exposure procedures, and protect employees and other patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berna Okudan
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ankara City Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Bedri Seven
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Sabuncuoğlu Şerefeddin Training and Research Hospital, University of Amasya, Amasya, Turkey
| | - Betül Ural
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Ankara City Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Çapraz
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Amasya, Amasya, Turkey
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[18F]FDG PET/CT in Short-Term Complications of COVID-19: Metabolic Markers of Persistent Inflammation and Impaired Respiratory Function. Diagnostics (Basel) 2022; 12:diagnostics12040835. [PMID: 35453883 PMCID: PMC9025979 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics12040835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 virus infects organs other than the lung, such as mediastinal lymph nodes, spleen, and liver, but, to date, metabolic imaging studies obtained in short-term follow-ups of patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 infection are rare. Our objective was to evaluate the usefulness of [18F]FDG-PET/CT in the short-term follow-up of patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia and to explore the association of the findings with clinical prognostic markers. The prospective study included 20 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia (November 2020–March 2021). Clinical and laboratory test findings were gathered at admission, 48–72 h post-admission, and 2–3 months post-discharge, when [18F]FDG-PET/CT and respiratory function tests were performed. Lung volumes, spirometry, lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and respiratory muscle strength were measured. Volumetric [18F]FDG-PET/CT results were correlated with laboratory and respiratory parameters. Eleven [18F]FDG-PET/CT (55%) were positive, with hypermetabolic mediastinal lymphadenopathy in 90.9%. Mediastinal lesion’s SUVpeak was correlated with white cells’ count. Eleven (55%) patients had impaired respiratory function, including reduced DLCO (35%). SUVpeak was correlated with %predicted-DLCO. TLG was negatively correlated with %predicted-DLCO and TLC. In the short-term follow-up of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 pneumonia, [18F]FDG-PET/CT findings revealed significant detectable inflammation in lungs and mediastinal lymph nodes that correlated with pulmonary function impairment in more than half of the patients.
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Subesinghe M, Bhuva S, Dunn JT, Hammers A, Cook GJ, Barrington SF, Fischer BM. A case-control evaluation of pulmonary and extrapulmonary findings of incidental asymptomatic COVID-19 infection on FDG PET-CT. Br J Radiol 2022; 95:20211079. [PMID: 34930037 PMCID: PMC8822569 DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20211079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe the findings of incidental asymptomatic COVID-19 infection on FDG PET-CT using a case-control design. METHODS Incidental pulmonary findings suspicious of asymptomatic COVID-19 infection on FDG PET-CT were classified as a confirmed (positive RT-PCR test) or suspected case (no/negative RT-PCR test). Control cases were identified using a 4:1 control:case ratio. Pulmonary findings were re-categorised by two reporters using the BSTI classification. SUV metrics in ground glass opacification (GGO)/consolidation (where present), background lung, intrathoracic nodes, liver, spleen and bone marrow were measured. RESULTS 7/9 confirmed and 11/15 suspected cases (COVID-19 group) were re-categorised as BSTI 1 (classic/probable COVID-19) or BSTI 2 (indeterminate COVID-19); 0/96 control cases were categorised as BSTI 1. Agreement between two reporters using the BSTI classification was almost perfect (weighted κ = 0.94). SUVmax GGO/consolidation (5.1 vs 2.2; p < 0.0001) and target-to-background ratio, normalised to liver SUVmean (2.4 vs 1.0; p < 0.0001) were higher in the BSTI 1 & 2 group vs BSTI 3 (non-COVID-19) cases. SUVmax GGO/consolidation discriminated between the BSTI 1 & 2 group vs BSTI 3 (non-COVID-19) cases with high accuracy (AUC = 0.93). SUV metrics were higher (p < 0.05) in the COVID-19 group vs control cases in the lungs, intrathoracic nodes and spleen. CONCLUSION Asymptomatic COVID-19 infection on FDG PET-CT is characterised by bilateral areas of FDG avid (intensity > x2 liver SUVmean) GGO/consolidation and can be identified with high interobserver agreement using the BSTI classification. There is generalised background inflammation within the lungs, intrathoracic nodes and spleen. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE Incidental asymptomatic COVID-19 infection on FDG PET-CT, characterised by bilateral areas of ground glass opacification and consolidation, can be identified with high reproducibility using the BSTI classification. The intensity of associated FDG uptake (>x2 liver SUVmean) provides high discriminative ability in differentiating such cases from pulmonary findings in a non-COVID-19 pattern. Asymptomatic COVID-19 infection causes a generalised background inflammation within the mid-lower zones of the lungs, hilar and central mediastinal nodal stations, and spleen on FDG PET-CT.
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Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly changed hospital activities, including nuclear medicine (NM) practice. This review aimed to determine and describe the impact of COVID-19 on NM in Europe and critically discuss actions and strategies applied to face the pandemic. A literature search for relevant articles was performed on PubMed, covering COVID-19 studies published up until January 21, 2021. The findings were summarized according to general and specific activities within the NM departments. The pandemic strongly challenged NM departments: a reduction in the workforce has been experienced in almost every center in Europe due to personnel diagnosed with COVID-19 and other reasons related to the coronavirus. NM departments introduced procedures to limit COVID-19 transmission, including environmental and personal hygiene, social distancing, rescheduling of non-high-priority procedures, the correct use of personal protective equipment, and prompt identification of suspect COVID-19 cases. A proportion of the departments experienced a delay in radiopharmaceuticals supply or technical assistance during the pandemic. Furthermore, the pandemic resulted in a significant reduction of diagnostic and therapeutic NM procedures, as well as a reduced level of care for patients affected by diseases other than COVID-19, such as cancer or acute cardiovascular disease. Telemedicine services have been set up to maintain medical assistance for patients. COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped human work resources, patient's diagnostic and therapeutic management, operative models, radiopharmaceutical supplies, teaching, training and research of NM departments. Limits of availability of resources emerged. Nonetheless, we have to provide continuity in care, especially for fragile patients, maintaining infection control measures. Challenges that have been faced should reshape our vision and get us prepared for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Kirienko
- Nuclear Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvi Telo
- Nuclear Medicine, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.
| | | | - Jamshed B Bomanji
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Arturo Chiti
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy; IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Fanti
- Nuclear Medicine, DIMES, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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Jin C, Luo X, Qian S, Zhang K, Gao Y, Zhou R, Cen P, Xu Z, Zhang H, Tian M. Positron emission tomography in the COVID-19 pandemic era. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2021; 48:3903-3917. [PMID: 34013405 PMCID: PMC8134823 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-021-05347-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a major public health problem worldwide since its outbreak in 2019. Currently, the spread of COVID-19 is far from over, and various complications have roused increasing awareness of the public, calling for novel techniques to aid at diagnosis and treatment. Based on the principle of molecular imaging, positron emission tomography (PET) is expected to offer pathophysiological alternations of COVID-19 in the molecular/cellular perspectives and facilitate the clinical management of patients. A number of PET-related cases and research have been reported on COVID-19 over the past one year. This article reviews the current studies of PET in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19, and discusses potential applications of PET in the development of management strategy for COVID-19 patients in the pandemic era.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chentao Jin
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Zhejiang, 310009, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyun Luo
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Zhejiang, 310009, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shufang Qian
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Zhejiang, 310009, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Laboratory for Pathophysiological and Health Science, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Yuanxue Gao
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Zhejiang, 310009, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Rui Zhou
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Zhejiang, 310009, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Peili Cen
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Zhejiang, 310009, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhoujiao Xu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Zhejiang, 310009, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hong Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Zhejiang, 310009, Hangzhou, China.
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
- College of Biomedical Engineering & Instrument Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory for Biomedical Engineering of Ministry of Education, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Mei Tian
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 88 Jiefang Road, Zhejiang, 310009, Hangzhou, China.
- Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Imaging of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China.
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Churruca M, Martínez-Besteiro E, Couñago F, Landete P. COVID-19 pneumonia: A review of typical radiological characteristics. World J Radiol 2021; 13:327-343. [PMID: 34786188 PMCID: PMC8567439 DOI: 10.4329/wjr.v13.i10.327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first discovered after unusual cases of severe pneumonia emerged by the end of 2019 in Wuhan (China) and was declared a global public health emergency by the World Health Organization in January 2020. The new pathogen responsible for the infection, genetically similar to the beta-coronavirus family, is known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the current gold standard diagnostic tool for its detection in respiratory samples is the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test. Imaging findings on COVID-19 have been widely described in studies published throughout last year, 2020. In general, ground-glass opacities and consolidations, with a bilateral and peripheral distribution, are the most typical patterns found in COVID-19 pneumonia. Even though much of the literature focuses on chest computed tomography (CT) and X-ray imaging and their findings, other imaging modalities have also been useful in the assessment of COVID-19 patients. Lung ultrasonography is an emerging technique with a high sensitivity, and thus useful in the initial evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In addition, combined positron emission tomography-CT enables the identification of affected areas and follow-up treatment responses. This review intends to clarify the role of the imaging modalities available and identify the most common radiological manifestations of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Churruca
- Pulmonology Department, Hospital Universitario de La Princesa, Madrid 28006, Spain
| | | | - Felipe Couñago
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital Universitario Quirónsalud Madrid, Madrid 28223, Spain
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Hospital La Luz, Madrid 28003, Spain
- Clinical Department, Faculty of Biomedicine,Universidad Europea de Madrid, Madrid 28670, Spain
| | - Pedro Landete
- Department of Pneumology, Hospital Universitario de la Princesa, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28006, Spain
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Comprehensive Survey of IoT, Machine Learning, and Blockchain for Health Care Applications: A Topical Assessment for Pandemic Preparedness, Challenges, and Solutions. ELECTRONICS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/electronics10202501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Internet of Things (IoT) communication technologies have brought immense revolutions in various domains, especially in health monitoring systems. Machine learning techniques coupled with advanced artificial intelligence techniques detect patterns associated with diseases and health conditions. Presently, the scientific community is focused on enhancing IoT-enabled applications by integrating blockchain technology with machine learning models to benefit medical report management, drug traceability, tracking infectious diseases, etc. To date, contemporary state-of-the-art techniques have presented various efforts on the adaptability of blockchain and machine learning in IoT applications; however, there exist various essential aspects that must also be incorporated to achieve more robust performance. This study presents a comprehensive survey of emerging IoT technologies, machine learning, and blockchain for healthcare applications. The reviewed articles comprise a plethora of research articles published in the web of science. The analysis is focused on research articles related to keywords such as ‘machine learning’, blockchain, ‘Internet of Things or IoT’, and keywords conjoined with ‘healthcare’ and ‘health application’ in six famous publisher databases, namely IEEEXplore, Nature, ScienceDirect, MDPI, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. We selected and reviewed 263 articles in total. The topical survey of the contemporary IoT-based models is presented in healthcare domains in three steps. Firstly, a detailed analysis of healthcare applications of IoT, blockchain, and machine learning demonstrates the importance of the discussed fields. Secondly, the adaptation mechanism of machine learning and blockchain in IoT for healthcare applications are discussed to delineate the scope of the mentioned techniques in IoT domains. Finally, the challenges and issues of healthcare applications based on machine learning, blockchain, and IoT are discussed. The presented future directions in this domain can significantly help the scholarly community determine research gaps to address.
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10
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Weissman JP, Bartel T. COVID-19 messenger ribonucleic acid vaccination and abnormal radiopharmaceutical uptake in the axilla visualized on 68Ga-DOTATATE positron-emission tomography/computed tomography. World J Nucl Med 2021; 20:392-394. [PMID: 35018159 PMCID: PMC8686744 DOI: 10.4103/wjnm.wjnm_54_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 05/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
As COVID-19 vaccination rates continue to rise, it is becoming increasingly important to understand diagnostic imaging associations’ resultant from the vaccines. Here, we report a case of a 59-year-old female who was in remission for gastrointestinal neuroendocrine carcinoma and presented for standard follow-up imaging evaluation. Positron-emission tomography (PET) images from a 68Ga-DOTATATE PET (NETSPOT) demonstrated moderate focal radiotracer uptake in the right axilla. Interestingly, this uptake localized to several normal-sized lymph nodes on the corresponding computed tomography (CT). A medical history revealed the patient received both doses of an ipsilateral COVID-19 messenger ribonucleic acid vaccine injection at 17 and 38 days before the PET/CT study. Subsequent scans 2 months later revealed no radiotracer uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Philip Weissman
- Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg, School of Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Twyla Bartel
- Department of Radiology, Global Advanced Imaging, PLLC, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
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11
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The Efficacy of 18F-FDG PET/CT and Superparamagnetic Nanoferric Oxide MRI in the Diagnosis of Lung Cancer and the Value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in the Prediction of Lymph Node Metastasis. COMPUTATIONAL AND MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN MEDICINE 2021; 2021:2448782. [PMID: 34552658 PMCID: PMC8452397 DOI: 10.1155/2021/2448782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In China, lung cancer is one of the leading causes of death among residents. Early diagnosis is of great significance for early interventional treatment and prolonging survival. PET/CT uses positron radiopharmaceuticals to observe the physiological and biochemical changes of the drug and its metabolites in the body and finally diagnoses the disease. 18F-FDG is a commonly used imaging agent, but its short isotopic half-life limits clinical high-throughput testing. This study retrospectively analyzed the imaging material of 100 lung cancer patients pathologically confirmed. Patients with lymph node metastasis were classified into the LM group (n = 30 cases), and those with no lymph node metastasis were classified into the NLM group (n = 70 cases). The results showed that MRI of superparamagnetic nanoferric oxide was better than diagnosis of lung cancer by the 18F-FDG PET/CT and had a high predictive power for lymph node metastasis. These turned out to be high-value lung cancer diagnosis of superparamagnetic nanoferric oxide MRI and high-capacity lymph node metastasis prediction of 18F-FDG PET/CT, which were worthy of implementation.
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12
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Rodríguez-Alfonso B, Ruiz Solís S, Silva-Hernández L, Pintos Pascual I, Aguado Ibáñez S, Salas Antón C. 18F-FDG-PET/CT in SARS-CoV-2 infection and its sequelae. Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol 2021; 40:299-309. [PMID: 34340958 PMCID: PMC8316133 DOI: 10.1016/j.remnie.2021.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In recent months, much of the scientific efforts have focused on research on SARSCoV-2 infection and its consequences in humans. Still, many aspects remain unknown. It is known that the damage caused by SARS-CoV-2 is multifactorial and that its extension goes beyond lung inflammation and the acute phase, with the appearance of numerous complications and sequelae. To date, knowledge about the usefulness of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in the acute phase has been limited to the incidental detection of SARS-CoV-2 unsuspected pneumonia. Recent studies have been appearing collecting the findings of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in long COVID-19 or persistent COVID-19 state as well as the alterations caused after mass vaccination of the population in the metabolic studies. This work aims to review the existing literature focusing on these three issues and to briefly present our own preliminary experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Rodríguez-Alfonso
- Servicio de Medicina Nuclear del Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
| | - S Ruiz Solís
- Servicio de Medicina Nuclear del Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - L Silva-Hernández
- Servicio de Neurología del Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - I Pintos Pascual
- Servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - S Aguado Ibáñez
- Servicio de Neumología del Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - C Salas Antón
- Servicio de Anatomía Patológica del Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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Rodríguez-Alfonso B, Ruiz Solís S, Silva-Hernández L, Pintos Pascual I, Aguado Ibáñez S, Salas Antón C. [ 18F-FDG-PET/CT in SARS-CoV-2 infection and its sequelae]. Rev Esp Med Nucl Imagen Mol 2021; 40:299-309. [PMID: 35368611 PMCID: PMC8272978 DOI: 10.1016/j.remn.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In recent months, much of the scientific efforts have focused on research on SARSCoV-2 infection and its consequences in humans. Still, many aspects remain unknown. It is known that the damage caused by SARS-CoV-2 is multifactorial and that its extension goes beyond lung inflammation and the acute phase, with the appearance of numerous complications and sequelae. To date, knowledge about the usefulness of 18F-FDG-PET/CT in the acute phase has been limited to the incidental detection of SARS-CoV-2 unsuspected pneumonia. Recent studies have been appearing collecting the findings of 18F-FDG- PET/CT in long COVID-19 or persistent COVID-19 state as well as the alterations caused after mass vaccination of the population in the metabolic studies. This work aims to review the existing literature focusing on these three issues and to briefly present our own preliminary experience.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Rodríguez-Alfonso
- Servicio de Medicina Nuclear del Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, España
| | - S Ruiz Solís
- Servicio de Medicina Nuclear del Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, España
| | - L Silva-Hernández
- Servicio de Neurología del Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, España
| | - I Pintos Pascual
- Servicio de Medicina Interna del Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, España
| | - S Aguado Ibáñez
- Servicio de Neumología del Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, España
| | - C Salas Antón
- Servicio de Anatomía Patológica del Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Majadahonda, Madrid, España
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Rivera-Sotelo N, Vargas-Del-Angel RG, Ternovoy SK, Roldan-Valadez E. Global research trends in COVID-19 with MRI and PET/CT: a scoping review with bibliometric and network analyses. Clin Transl Imaging 2021; 9:625-639. [PMID: 34414137 PMCID: PMC8364406 DOI: 10.1007/s40336-021-00460-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To identify and evaluate the indexed studies that allow us to understand the implications of imaging studies in MRI and PET/CT related to COVID-19 research. METHODS Scoping review. Articles in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (WoS) were scanned from 2019 to 2021 with COVID-19, MRI, and PET-CT as keywords. EndNote software and manual checking removed the duplicated references. Our assessment includes citation, bibliometric, keyword network, and statistical analyses using descriptive statistics and correlations. Highlighted variables were publication year, country, journals, and authorship. RESULTS Only 326 papers were included. The most cited article reached 669 cites; this number represented 21.71% of 3081 citations. The top-15 cited authors received 1787 citations, which represented 58% of the total cites. These authors had affiliations from ten countries (Belgium, China, France, Italy, Japan, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom (UK), and the USA). The top-30 journals were cited 2762 times, representing 89.65% of the total cites. Only five journals were cited more than 100 times; Int J Infect Dis had the most significant number of citations (674). Some of the unexpected keywords were encephalitis, stroke, microbleeds, myocarditis. CONCLUSION COVID-19 pandemic is still spreading worldwide, and the knowledge about its different facets continues advancing. MRI and PET/CT are being used in more than 50% of the selected studies; research trends span seven categories, no only the diagnostic but others like socio-economic impact and pathogenesis Developed countries had an advantage by having hospitals with more resources, including MRI and PET/CT facilities in the same institution to supplement basic assessment in patients with COVID-19. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40336-021-00460-x.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathaly Rivera-Sotelo
- Directorate of Research, Hospital General de Mexico “Dr Eduardo Liceaga”, 06720 Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Sergey K. Ternovoy
- Department of Radiology, A.L. Myasnikov Research Institute of Clinical Cardiology of National Medical Research Center, Moscow, Russia
- Department of Radiology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119992 Moscow, Russia
| | - Ernesto Roldan-Valadez
- Directorate of Research, Hospital General de Mexico “Dr Eduardo Liceaga”, 06720 Mexico City, Mexico
- Department of Radiology, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University (Sechenov University), 119992 Moscow, Russia
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15
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Mirzaei S, Prior JO, Farsad M, Lipp RW, Hustinx R. Ausbildung in Nuklearmedizin und Zukunftsperspektiven. NUKLEARMEDIZIN. NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2021; 60:264-265. [PMID: 34325474 DOI: 10.1055/a-1486-5876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Abstract
Soon after reports of a novel coronavirus capable of causing severe pneumonia surfaced in late 2019, expeditious global spread of the Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) forced the World Health Organization to declare an international state of emergency. Although best known for causing symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection in mild cases and fulminant pneumonia in severe disease, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has also been associated with gastrointestinal, neurologic, cardiac, and hematologic presentations. Despite concerns over poor specificity and undue radiation exposure, chest imaging nonetheless remains central to the initial diagnosis and monitoring of COVID-19 progression, as well as to the evaluation of complications. Classic features on chest CT include ground-glass and reticular opacities with or without superimposed consolidations, frequently presenting in a bilateral, peripheral, and posterior distribution. More recently, studies conducted with MRI have shown excellent concordance with chest CT in visualizing typical features of COVID-19 pneumonia. For patients in whom exposure to ionizing radiation should be avoided, particularly pregnant patients and children, pulmonary MRI may represent a suitable alternative to chest CT. Although PET imaging is not typically considered among first-line investigative modalities for the diagnosis of lower respiratory tract infections, numerous reports have noted incidental localization of radiotracer in parenchymal regions of COVID-19-associated pulmonary lesions. These findings are consistent with data from Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-CoV cohorts which suggested an ability for 18F-FDG PET to detect subclinical infection and lymphadenitis in subjects without overt clinical signs of infection. Though highly sensitive, use of PET/CT for primary detection of COVID-19 is constrained by poor specificity, as well as considerations of cost, radiation burden, and prolonged exposure times for imaging staff. Even still, decontamination of scanner bays is a time-consuming process, and proper ventilation of scanner suites may additionally require up to an hour of downtime to allow for sufficient air exchange. Yet, in patients who require nuclear medicine investigations for other clinical indications, PET imaging may yield the earliest detection of nascent infection in otherwise asymptomatic individuals. Especially for patients with concomitant malignancies and other states of immunocompromise, prompt recognition of infection and early initiation of supportive care is crucial to maximizing outcomes and improving survivability.
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Key Words
- sars-cov, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
- covid-19, coronavirus disease 2019
- ct, computed tomography
- mri, magnetic resonance imaging
- pet, positron emission tomography
- ggo, ground-glass opacity
- rt-pcr, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
- 18f-fdg, 18f-labelled fluorodeoxyglucose
- suvmax, maximum standardized uptake
- mip, maximum intensity projection
- 68ga-psma, 68ga-labelled prostate-specific membrane antigen
- 18f-choline, 18f-labelled choline
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Affiliation(s)
- Brandon K K Fields
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - Natalie L Demirjian
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America; Department of Integrative Anatomical Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America
| | - Habibollah Dadgar
- Razavi Cancer Research Center, RAZAVI Hospital, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Gholamrezanezhad
- Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America; Department of Radiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States of America.
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Ramdani H, Allali N, Chat L, El Haddad S. Covid-19 imaging: A narrative review. Ann Med Surg (Lond) 2021; 69:102489. [PMID: 34178312 PMCID: PMC8214462 DOI: 10.1016/j.amsu.2021.102489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) imaging data is dispersed in numerous publications. A cohesive literature review is to be assembled. Objective To summarize the existing literature on Covid-19 pneumonia imaging including precautionary measures for radiology departments, Chest CT's role in diagnosis and management, imaging findings of Covid-19 patients including children and pregnant women, artificial intelligence applications and practical recommendations. Methods A systematic literature search of PubMed/med line electronic databases. Results The radiology department's staff is on the front line of the novel coronavirus outbreak. Strict adherence to precautionary measures is the main defense against infection's spread. Although nucleic acid testing is Covid-19's pneumonia diagnosis gold standard; kits shortage and low sensitivity led to the implementation of the highly sensitive chest computed tomography amidst initial diagnostic tools. Initial Covid-19 CT features comprise bilateral, peripheral or posterior, multilobar ground-glass opacities, predominantly in the lower lobes. Consolidations superimposed on ground-glass opacifications are found in few cases, preponderantly in the elderly. In later disease stages, GGO transformation into multifocal consolidations, thickened interlobular and intralobular lines, crazy paving, traction bronchiectasis, pleural thickening, and subpleural bands are reported. Standardized CT reporting is recommended to guide radiologists. While lung ultrasound, pulmonary MRI, and PET CT are not Covid-19 pneumonia's first-line investigative diagnostic modalities, their characteristic findings and clinical value are outlined. Artificial intelligence's role in strengthening available imaging tools is discussed. Conclusion This review offers an exhaustive analysis of the current literature on imaging role and findings in COVID-19 pneumonia.
Chest computed tomography is a highly sensitive Covid −19 pneumonia's diagnostic tool. Initial Covid-19 CT features are bilateral, multifocal, peripheral or posterior ground-glass opacities, mainly in the lower lobes. Multifocal consolidations, bronchiectasis, pleural thickening, and subpleural bands are late disease stages features. Standardized CT reporting is recommended to guide radiologists. Artificial intelligence could strengthen available imaging tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanae Ramdani
- Radiology Department, Childrens' Hospital - Ibn Sina University Hospital-Rabat, Lamfadel Cherkaoui Street, 10010, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Nazik Allali
- Radiology Department, Childrens' Hospital - Ibn Sina University Hospital-Rabat, Lamfadel Cherkaoui Street, 10010, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Latifa Chat
- Radiology Department, Childrens' Hospital - Ibn Sina University Hospital-Rabat, Lamfadel Cherkaoui Street, 10010, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Siham El Haddad
- Radiology Department, Childrens' Hospital - Ibn Sina University Hospital-Rabat, Lamfadel Cherkaoui Street, 10010, Rabat, Morocco
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de Carvalho LS, da Silva Júnior RT, Oliveira BVS, de Miranda YS, Rebouças NLF, Loureiro MS, Pinheiro SLR, da Silva RS, Correia PVSLM, Silva MJS, Ribeiro SN, da Silva FAF, de Brito BB, Santos MLC, Leal RAOS, Oliveira MV, de Melo FF. Highlighting COVID-19: What the imaging exams show about the disease. World J Radiol 2021; 13:122-136. [PMID: 34141092 PMCID: PMC8188839 DOI: 10.4329/wjr.v13.i5.122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a global emergency, is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. The gold standard for its diagnosis is the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, but considering the high number of infected people, the low availability of this diagnostic tool in some contexts, and the limitations of the test, other tools that aid in the identification of the disease are necessary. In this scenario, imaging exams such as chest X-ray (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) have played important roles. CXR is useful for assessing disease progression because it allows the detection of extensive consolidations, besides being a fast and cheap method. On the other hand, CT is more sensitive for detecting lung changes in the early stages of the disease and is also useful for assessing disease progression. Of note, ground-glass opacities are the main COVID-19-related CT findings. Positron emission tomography combined with CT can be used to evaluate chronic and substantial damage to the lungs and other organs; however, it is an expensive test. Lung ultrasound (LUS) has been shown to be a promising technique in that context as well, being useful in the screening and monitoring of patients, disease classification, and management related to mechanical ventilation. Moreover, LUS is an inexpensive alternative available at the bedside. Finally, magnetic resonance imaging, although not usually requested, allows the detection of pulmonary, cardiovascular, and neurological abnormalities associated with COVID-19. Furthermore, it is important to consider the challenges faced in the radiology field in the adoption of control measures to prevent infection and in the follow-up of post-COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorena Sousa de Carvalho
- Department of Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Bruna Vieira Silva Oliveira
- Department of Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Yasmin Silva de Miranda
- Department of Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Nara Lúcia Fonseca Rebouças
- Department of Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Matheus Sande Loureiro
- Department of Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Samuel Luca Rocha Pinheiro
- Department of Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Regiane Santos da Silva
- Department of Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Maria José Souza Silva
- Department of Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Sabrina Neves Ribeiro
- Department of Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Filipe Antônio França da Silva
- Department of Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Breno Bittencourt de Brito
- Department of Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Maria Luísa Cordeiro Santos
- Department of Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Márcio Vasconcelos Oliveira
- Department of Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Fabrício Freire de Melo
- Department of Instituto Multidisciplinar em Saúde, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Vitória da Conquista 45029-094, Bahia, Brazil
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Bai Y, Xu J, Chen L, Fu C, Kang Y, Zhang W, Fakhri GE, Gu J, Shao F, Wang M. Inflammatory response in lungs and extrapulmonary sites detected by [ 18F] fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in convalescing COVID-19 patients tested negative for coronavirus. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2021; 48:2531-2542. [PMID: 33420914 PMCID: PMC7794623 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-020-05083-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has resulted in an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The challenges associated with imaging infected patients have resulted, to date, in a paucity of metabolic imaging studies of patients with severe COVID-19 infection. Furthermore, it remains unclear if any abnormal metabolic events are taking place in patients who have recovered from COVID-19. PURPOSE To use [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose ([18F] FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) to measure metabolic activity in inflamed organs of patients convalescing post severe COVID-19 infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective study was performed in seven convalescing patients who were recovering from severe COVID-19 infection in February 2020. Prior to [18F] FDG PET/CT, all patients had received two consecutive negative results of real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid. Clinical intake including symptoms, treatment, laboratory test results, and follow-up was performed. The PET/CT images of COVID-19 patients were compared to a control group of patients that were matched for age and sex. RESULTS Residual pulmonary lesions were present in all patients and maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax), average standard uptake value (SUVavg), maximum CT intensity (CTmax), and average CT intensity (CTavg) were all significantly greater than in the control group (p < 0.01 for all). In addition, SUVmax and SUVavg were significantly greater in the mediastinal lymph node and liver, and SUVmax was significantly greater in the spleen, of COVID-19 patients compared with controls (p < 0.05 for all). For the spleen, SUVmax (r2 = 0.863, p = 0.003) and SUVavg (r2 = 0.797, p = 0.007) were significantly correlated with blood lymphocyte count, and which was below the normal range in five of the seven (71.4%) patients convalescing post severe COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSION [18F] FDG PET/CT quantitative analysis has shown that significant inflammation remained in lungs, mediastinal lymph nodes, spleen, and liver after two consecutive negative RT-PCR tests in patients convalescing post severe COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Bai
- Department of Medical Imaging, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 7 Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Junling Xu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 7 Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Lijuan Chen
- Department of Medical Imaging, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 7 Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Chang Fu
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 7 Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Yi Kang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 7 Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Weifeng Zhang
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 7 Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Georges Ei Fakhri
- Gordon Center for Medical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Jianqin Gu
- Department of General Practice, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 7 Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Fengmin Shao
- Department of Nephrology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 7 Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China
| | - Meiyun Wang
- Department of Medical Imaging, Henan Provincial People's Hospital & the People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, No. 7 Weiwu Road, Zhengzhou, 450003, Henan, China.
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20
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Neumaier F, Zlatopolskiy BD, Neumaier B. Nuclear Medicine in Times of COVID-19: How Radiopharmaceuticals Could Help to Fight the Current and Future Pandemics. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E1247. [PMID: 33371500 PMCID: PMC7767508 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12121247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence and global spread of COVID-19, an infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, has resulted in a continuing pandemic threat to global health. Nuclear medicine techniques can be used for functional imaging of (patho)physiological processes at the cellular or molecular level and for treatment approaches based on targeted delivery of therapeutic radionuclides. Ongoing development of radiolabeling methods has significantly improved the accessibility of radiopharmaceuticals for in vivo molecular imaging or targeted radionuclide therapy, but their use for biosafety threats such as SARS-CoV-2 is restricted by the contagious nature of these agents. Here, we highlight several potential uses of nuclear medicine in the context of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, many of which could also be performed in laboratories without dedicated containment measures. In addition, we provide a broad overview of experimental or repurposed SARS-CoV-2-targeting drugs and describe how radiolabeled analogs of these compounds could facilitate antiviral drug development and translation to the clinic, reduce the incidence of late-stage failures and possibly provide the basis for radionuclide-based treatment strategies. Based on the continuing threat by emerging coronaviruses and other pathogens, it is anticipated that these applications of nuclear medicine will become a more important part of future antiviral drug development and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix Neumaier
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Wilhelm-Johnen-Str., 52428 Jülich, Germany; (B.D.Z.); (B.N.)
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
| | - Boris D. Zlatopolskiy
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Wilhelm-Johnen-Str., 52428 Jülich, Germany; (B.D.Z.); (B.N.)
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Bernd Neumaier
- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Nuclear Chemistry (INM-5), Wilhelm-Johnen-Str., 52428 Jülich, Germany; (B.D.Z.); (B.N.)
- Institute of Radiochemistry and Experimental Molecular Imaging, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Kerpener Str. 62, 50937 Cologne, Germany
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21
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Carrio I, Essler M, Freudenberg LS, Herrmann K. "COVID-19 Pandemic as stimulator to Re-Establish Nuclear Medicine as Clinical Specialty" based on a report of Prof. Dr. Ignasi Carrio. Nuklearmedizin 2020; 59:405-408. [PMID: 33336349 DOI: 10.1055/a-1286-4946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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22
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Dadgar H, Norouzbeigi N, Gholamrezanezhad A, Assadi M. Incidental Detections Suggestive of COVID-19 in Asymptomatic Patients Undergoing 68Ga-DOTATATE and 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET-CT Scan for Oncological Indications. Nuklearmedizin 2020; 60:106-108. [PMID: 33327007 PMCID: PMC8043668 DOI: 10.1055/a-1311-2856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Habibollah Dadgar
- The Cancer Research Center, Razavi Hospital, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Nasim Norouzbeigi
- The Cancer Research Center, Razavi Hospital, Imam Reza International University, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Gholamrezanezhad
- Department of Radiology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California (USC), 1500 San Pablo Street, Los Angeles, CA 90033 USA
| | - Majid Assadi
- The Persian Gulf Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Department of Molecular Imaging and Radionuclide Therapy, Bushehr Medical University Hospital, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
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Ali SA, Abdelkawi MM. Incidentally recognized COVID-19 pneumonia in routine oncologic 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations: a local experience during pandemic era. THE EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE 2020. [PMCID: PMC7610243 DOI: 10.1186/s43055-020-00333-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background CT chest findings of COVID-19 pneumonia can be detected before the clinical symptoms become evident in many cases. In this work, we presented our experience in incidental detection of COVID-19-associated pneumonia in asymptomatic patients coming for routine oncologic 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic, which contribute in the detection of the affected patients early to be isolated and properly managed. We reported the cases with incidental finding of COVID-19 pneumonia among 764 asymptomatic patients who were referred for whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations for routine oncologic indications in the period between 15 March and 15 June 2020, and RT-PCR testing for them was requested for confirmation. Results Among the 764 scanned patients, we had recognized 87 patients (11.3%) having features of COVID-19 pneumonia. RT-PCR testing of them confirmed COVID-19 infection in 78 cases, yet 3 were negative and no RT-PCR testing was performed in 6 cases (only isolated and carefully monitored). Conclusion 18F-FDG PET/CT is sensitive for early COVID-19 detection, even in asymptomatic patients that guide proper management and also highlight the key role of a radiologist and the importance of applying safety measures in clinical services during the pandemic to minimize the spread of infection.
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Biermann M, Kanoun S, Davidsen T, Gray R. An Open Source Solution for "Hands-on" teaching of PET/CT to Medical Students under the COVID-19 Pandemic. Nuklearmedizin 2020; 60:10-15. [PMID: 33105510 DOI: 10.1055/a-1267-9017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Since 2017, medical students at the University of Bergen were taught PET/CT "hands-on" by viewing PET/CT cases in native format on diagnostic workstations in the hospital. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students were barred access. This prompted us to launch and evaluate a new freeware PET/CT viewing system hosted in the university network. METHODS We asked our students to install the multiplatform Fiji viewer with Beth Israel PET/CT plugin (http://petctviewer.org) on their personal computers and connect to a central image database in the university network based on the public domain orthanc server (https://orthanc-server.com). At the end of course, we conducted an anonymous student survey. RESULTS The new system was online within eight days, including regulatory approval. All 76 students (100 %) in the fifth year completed their course work, reading five anonymized PET/CT cases as planned. 41 (53 %) students answered the survey. Fiji was challenging to install with a mean score of 1.8 on a 5-point Likert scale (5 = easy, 1 = difficult). Fiji was more difficult to use (score 3.0) than the previously used diagnostic workstations in the hospital (score 4.1; p < 0.001, paired t-test). Despite the technical challenge, 47 % of students reported having learnt much (scores 4 and 5); only 11 % were negative (scores 1 and 2). 51 % found the PET/CT tasks engaging (scores 4 and 5) while 20 % and 5 % returned scores 2 and 1, respectively. CONCLUSION Despite the initial technical challenge, "hands-on" learning of PET/CT based on the freeware Fiji/orthanc PET/CT-viewer was associated with a high degree of student satisfaction. We plan to continue running the system to give students permanent access to PET/CT cases in native format regardless of time or location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Biermann
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Section for Radiology, University of Bergen Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Bergen, Norway
| | - Salim Kanoun
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Toulouse, France
| | | | - Robert Gray
- Department of Education, University of Bergen Faculty of Humanities, Bergen, Norway
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Setti L, Bonacina M, Meroni R, Kirienko M, Galli F, Dalto SC, Erba PA, Bombardieri E. Increased incidence of interstitial pneumonia detected on [ 18F]-FDG-PET/CT in asymptomatic cancer patients during COVID-19 pandemic in Lombardy: a casualty or COVID-19 infection? Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2020; 48:777-785. [PMID: 32909090 PMCID: PMC7480211 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-020-05027-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The study aimed to compare the incidence of interstitial pneumonia on [18F]-FDG PET/CT scans between two 6-month periods: (a) the COVID-19 pandemic peak and (b) control period. Secondly, we compared the incidence of interstitial pneumonia on [18F]-FDG PET/CT and epidemiological data from the regional registry of COVID-19 cases. Additionally, imaging findings and the intensity of [18F]-FDG PET/CT uptake in terms of maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) were compared. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed [18F]-FDG PET/CT scans performed in cancer patients referred to nuclear medicine of Humanitas Gavazzeni in Bergamo from December 2019 to May 2020 and from December 2018 to May 2019. The per month incidence of interstitial pneumonia at imaging and the epidemiological data were assessed. To evaluate the differences between the two symmetric groups (period of COVID-19 pandemic and control), the stratified Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test was used. Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test and t test or Wilcoxon test were performed to compare the distributions of categorical and continuous variables, respectively. RESULTS Overall, 1298 patients were included in the study. The two cohorts-COVID-19 pandemic (n = 575) and control (n = 723)-did not statistically differ in terms of age, disease, or scan indication (p > 0.05). Signs of interstitial pneumonia were observed in 24 (4.2%) and 14 patients (1.9%) in the COVID-19 period and the control period, respectively, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.013). The level of statistical significance improved further when the period from January to May was considered, with a peak in March (7/83 patients, 8.4% vs 3/134 patients, 2.2%, p = 0.001). The curve of interstitial pneumonia diagnosis overlapped with the COVID-19 incidence in the area of Lombardy (Spearman correlation index was equal to 1). Imaging data did not differ among the two cohorts. CONCLUSIONS Significant increase of interstitial lung alterations at [18F]-FDG PET/CT has been demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the incidence curve of imaging abnormalities resulted in resembling the epidemiological data of the general population. These data support the rationale to adopt [18F]-FDG PET/CT as sentinel modality to identify suspicious COVID-19 cases to be referred for additional confirmatory testing. Nuclear medicine physicians and staff should continue active surveillance of interstitial pneumonia findings, especially when new infection peak is expected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Setti
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Humanitas Gavazzeni, Bergamo, Italy
| | | | | | - Margarita Kirienko
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Francesca Galli
- Laboratory of Methodology for Clinical Research, Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Paola Anna Erba
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Emilio Bombardieri
- Scientific Direction and Nuclear Medicine Unit, Humanitas Gavazzeni, Bergamo, Italy
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Shiri I, Abdollahi H, Atashzar MR, Rahmim A, Zaidi H. A theranostic approach based on radiolabeled antiviral drugs, antibodies and CRISPR-associated proteins for early detection and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 disease. Nucl Med Commun 2020; 41:837-840. [PMID: 32796470 PMCID: PMC7485524 DOI: 10.1097/mnm.0000000000001269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Shiri
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Hamid Abdollahi
- Department of Radiologic Sciences and Medical Physics, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Science, Kerman
| | - Mohammad Reza Atashzar
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Fasa University of Medical Science, Fasa, Iran
| | - Arman Rahmim
- Departments of Radiology and Physics, University of British Columbia
- Department of Integrative Oncology, BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver BC, Canada
| | - Habib Zaidi
- Division of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland
- Geneva University Neurocenter, Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Hartman AL, Nambulli S, McMillen CM, White AG, Tilston-Lunel NL, Albe JR, Cottle E, Dunn MD, Frye LJ, Gilliland TH, Olsen EL, O’Malley KJ, Schwarz MM, Tomko JA, Walker RC, Xia M, Hartman MS, Klein E, Scanga CA, Flynn JL, Klimstra WB, McElroy AK, Reed DS, Duprex WP. SARS-CoV-2 infection of African green monkeys results in mild respiratory disease discernible by PET/CT imaging and shedding of infectious virus from both respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008903. [PMID: 32946524 PMCID: PMC7535860 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaccines are urgently needed to combat the global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, and testing of candidate vaccines in an appropriate non-human primate (NHP) model is a critical step in the process. Infection of African green monkeys (AGM) with a low passage human isolate of SARS-CoV-2 by aerosol or mucosal exposure resulted in mild clinical infection with a transient decrease in lung tidal volume. Imaging with human clinical-grade 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) co-registered with computed tomography (CT) revealed pulmonary lesions at 4 days post-infection (dpi) that resolved over time. Infectious virus was shed from both respiratory and gastrointestinal (GI) tracts in all animals in a biphasic manner, first between 2-7 dpi followed by a recrudescence at 14-21 dpi. Viral RNA (vRNA) was found throughout both respiratory and gastrointestinal systems at necropsy with higher levels of vRNA found within the GI tract tissues. All animals seroconverted simultaneously for IgM and IgG, which has also been documented in human COVID-19 cases. Young AGM represent an species to study mild/subclinical COVID-19 disease and with possible insights into live virus shedding. Future vaccine evaluation can be performed in AGM with correlates of efficacy being lung lesions by PET/CT, virus shedding, and tissue viral load.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy L. Hartman
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Sham Nambulli
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Cynthia M. McMillen
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Alexander G. White
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Natasha Louise Tilston-Lunel
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Joseph R. Albe
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Emily Cottle
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Matthew D. Dunn
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - L. James Frye
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Theron H. Gilliland
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Emily L. Olsen
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Katherine J. O’Malley
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Madeline M. Schwarz
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Jaime A. Tomko
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Reagan C. Walker
- Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Mengying Xia
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Matthew S. Hartman
- Department of Radiology, Allegheny Health Network, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Edwin Klein
- Division of Laboratory Animal Resources, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Charles A. Scanga
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - JoAnne L. Flynn
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - William B. Klimstra
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Anita K. McElroy
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Disease, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - Douglas S. Reed
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
| | - W. Paul Duprex
- Center for Vaccine Research, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America
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Aljondi R, Alghamdi S. Diagnostic Value of Imaging Modalities for COVID-19: Scoping Review. J Med Internet Res 2020; 22:e19673. [PMID: 32716893 PMCID: PMC7468642 DOI: 10.2196/19673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 06/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a serious infectious disease that causes severe respiratory illness. This pandemic represents a serious public health risk. Therefore, early and accurate diagnosis is essential to control disease progression. Radiological examination plays a crucial role in the early identification and management of infected patients. OBJECTIVE The aim of this review was to identify the diagnostic value of different imaging modalities used for diagnosis of COVID-19. METHODS A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases. The keywords diagnostic imaging, radiology, respiratory infection, pneumonia, coronavirus infection and COVID-19 were used to identify radiology articles focusing on the diagnosis of COVID-19 and to determine the diagnostic value of various imaging modalities, including x-ray, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, and nuclear medicine for identification and management of infected patients. RESULTS We identified 50 articles in the literature search. Studies that investigated the diagnostic roles and imaging features of patients with COVID-19, using either chest CT, lung ultrasound, chest x-ray, or positron emission topography/computed tomography (PET/CT) scan, were discussed. Of these imaging modalities, chest x-ray and CT scan are the most commonly used for diagnosis and management of COVID-19 patients, with chest CT scan being more accurate and sensitive in identifying COVID-19 at early stages. Only a few studies have investigated the roles of ultrasound and PET/CT scan in diagnosing COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS Chest CT scan remains the most sensitive imaging modality in initial diagnosis and management of suspected and confirmed patients with COVID-19. Other diagnostic imaging modalities could add value in evaluating disease progression and monitoring critically ill patients with COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowa Aljondi
- Department of Applied Radiologic Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Salem Alghamdi
- Department of Applied Radiologic Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Annunziata S, Bauckneht M, Albano D, Argiroffi G, Calabrò D, Abenavoli E, Linguanti F, Laudicella R. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in nuclear medicine departments: preliminary report of the first international survey. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2020; 47:2090-2099. [PMID: 32462398 PMCID: PMC7251803 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-020-04874-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic is challenging the availability of hospital resources worldwide. The Young Group of the Italian Association of Nuclear Medicine (AIMN) developed the first international survey to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 in nuclear medicine (NM). The aim of this study was to perform a preliminary report of the ongoing survey. METHODS A questionnaire of thirty questions was prepared for all NM professionals addressing three main issues: (1) new scheduling praxes for NM diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, (2) assistance of patients with diagnosed or suspected COVID-19, and (3) prevention of COVID-19 spreading in the departments. An invitation to the survey was sent to the corresponding authors of NM scientific papers indexed in SCOPUS in 2019. Personal data were analysed per individual responder. Organisation data were evaluated per single department. RESULTS Two-hundred and ninety-six individual responders from 220 departments were evaluated. Most of the responders were from Europe (199/296, 67%). Approximately, all departments already changed their scheduling praxes due to the pandemic (213/220, 97%). In most departments, scheduled diagnostic and therapeutic procedures were allowed but quantitatively reduced (112/220, 51%). A significant reduction of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (more than 20%) affected 198/220 (90%) and 158/220 (72%) departments, respectively. Incidental COVID-19 signs in NM exams occurred in 106/220 departments (48%). Few departments were closed or shifted to assist patients with COVID-19 (36/220, 16%). Most of the responders thought that pandemic would not permanently change the work of NM departments in the future (189/296, 64%). CONCLUSIONS According to this preliminary report of the first international survey, COVID-19 heavily impacted NM departments and professionals. New praxes for NM procedures, assistance, and prevention of COVID-19 have been applied during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Annunziata
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, via Elio Chianesi 53, 00144, Rome, Italy.
| | - Matteo Bauckneht
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino, Genoa, Italy
| | - Domenico Albano
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, University of Brescia and Spedali Civili Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | | | - Diletta Calabrò
- Nuclear Medicine, DIMES University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Abenavoli
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Flavia Linguanti
- Nuclear Medicine Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "Mario Serio", University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Riccardo Laudicella
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and of Morpho-Functional Imaging, Nuclear Medicine Unit, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
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Manna S, Wruble J, Maron SZ, Toussie D, Voutsinas N, Finkelstein M, Cedillo MA, Diamond J, Eber C, Jacobi A, Chung M, Bernheim A. COVID-19: A Multimodality Review of Radiologic Techniques, Clinical Utility, and Imaging Features. Radiol Cardiothorac Imaging 2020; 2:e200210. [PMID: 33778588 PMCID: PMC7325394 DOI: 10.1148/ryct.2020200210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In this article we will review the imaging features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) across multiple modalities, including radiography, CT, MRI, PET/CT, and US. Given that COVID-19 primarily affects the lung parenchyma by causing pneumonia, our directive is to focus on thoracic findings associated with COVID-19. We aim to enhance radiologists' understanding of this disease to help guide diagnosis and management. Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Samuel Z. Maron
- From the Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Hospital, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 (S.M., S.Z.M., D.T., N.V., M.F., M.A.C., C.E., A.J., M.C., A.B.); Complete Radiology Reading Services, Westbury, NY (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md (J.W.); and Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.D.)
| | - Danielle Toussie
- From the Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Hospital, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 (S.M., S.Z.M., D.T., N.V., M.F., M.A.C., C.E., A.J., M.C., A.B.); Complete Radiology Reading Services, Westbury, NY (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md (J.W.); and Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.D.)
| | - Nicholas Voutsinas
- From the Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Hospital, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 (S.M., S.Z.M., D.T., N.V., M.F., M.A.C., C.E., A.J., M.C., A.B.); Complete Radiology Reading Services, Westbury, NY (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md (J.W.); and Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.D.)
| | - Mark Finkelstein
- From the Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Hospital, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 (S.M., S.Z.M., D.T., N.V., M.F., M.A.C., C.E., A.J., M.C., A.B.); Complete Radiology Reading Services, Westbury, NY (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md (J.W.); and Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.D.)
| | - Mario A. Cedillo
- From the Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Hospital, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 (S.M., S.Z.M., D.T., N.V., M.F., M.A.C., C.E., A.J., M.C., A.B.); Complete Radiology Reading Services, Westbury, NY (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md (J.W.); and Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.D.)
| | - Jamie Diamond
- From the Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Hospital, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 (S.M., S.Z.M., D.T., N.V., M.F., M.A.C., C.E., A.J., M.C., A.B.); Complete Radiology Reading Services, Westbury, NY (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md (J.W.); and Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.D.)
| | - Corey Eber
- From the Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Hospital, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 (S.M., S.Z.M., D.T., N.V., M.F., M.A.C., C.E., A.J., M.C., A.B.); Complete Radiology Reading Services, Westbury, NY (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md (J.W.); and Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.D.)
| | - Adam Jacobi
- From the Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Hospital, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 (S.M., S.Z.M., D.T., N.V., M.F., M.A.C., C.E., A.J., M.C., A.B.); Complete Radiology Reading Services, Westbury, NY (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md (J.W.); and Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.D.)
| | - Michael Chung
- From the Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Hospital, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 (S.M., S.Z.M., D.T., N.V., M.F., M.A.C., C.E., A.J., M.C., A.B.); Complete Radiology Reading Services, Westbury, NY (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md (J.W.); and Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.D.)
| | - Adam Bernheim
- From the Department of Diagnostic, Molecular and Interventional Radiology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Mount Sinai Hospital, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 (S.M., S.Z.M., D.T., N.V., M.F., M.A.C., C.E., A.J., M.C., A.B.); Complete Radiology Reading Services, Westbury, NY (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology, University of Connecticut, Farmington, Conn (J.W.); Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md (J.W.); and Division of Cardiology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Mass (J.D.)
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Affiliation(s)
- Reshma Amin
- SickKids Hospital (Amin); North York General Hospital (Grinblat); MyHealth Centre (Grinblat); University Health Network (Husain), Toronto, Ont
| | - Leonard Grinblat
- SickKids Hospital (Amin); North York General Hospital (Grinblat); MyHealth Centre (Grinblat); University Health Network (Husain), Toronto, Ont.
| | - Mansoor Husain
- SickKids Hospital (Amin); North York General Hospital (Grinblat); MyHealth Centre (Grinblat); University Health Network (Husain), Toronto, Ont
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Teaching nuclear medicine in the pandemic-a new challenge for the faculty. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging 2020; 47:2075-2077. [PMID: 32430582 PMCID: PMC7237224 DOI: 10.1007/s00259-020-04865-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
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Freudenberg LS, Dittmer U, Herrmann K. Impact of COVID-19 on Nuclear Medicine in Germany, Austria and Switzerland: An International Survey in April 2020. Nuklearmedizin 2020; 59:294-299. [DOI: 10.1055/a-1163-3096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction Preparations of health systems to accommodate large number of severely ill COVID-19 patients in March/April 2020 has a significant impact on nuclear medicine departments.
Materials and Methods A web-based questionnaire was designed to differentiate the impact of the pandemic on inpatient and outpatient nuclear medicine operations and on public versus private health systems, respectively. Questions were addressing the following issues: impact on nuclear medicine diagnostics and therapy, use of recommendations, personal protective equipment, and organizational adaptations. The survey was available for 6 days and closed on April 20, 2020.
Results 113 complete responses were recorded. Nearly all participants (97 %) report a decline of nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures. The mean reduction in the last three weeks for PET/CT, scintigraphies of bone, myocardium, lung thyroid, sentinel lymph-node are –14.4 %, –47.2 %, –47.5 %, –40.7 %, –58.4 %, and –25.2 % respectively. Furthermore, 76 % of the participants report a reduction in therapies especially for benign thyroid disease (-41.8 %) and radiosynoviorthesis (–53.8 %) while tumor therapies remained mainly stable. 48 % of the participants report a shortage of personal protective equipment.
Conclusions Nuclear medicine services are notably reduced 3 weeks after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic reached Germany, Austria and Switzerland on a large scale. We must be aware that the current crisis will also have a significant economic impact on the healthcare system. As the survey cannot adapt to daily dynamic changes in priorities, it serves as a first snapshot requiring follow-up studies and comparisons with other countries and regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutz S. Freudenberg
- Clinic of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Germany
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zentrum für Radiologie und Nuklearmedizin Rheinland, Korschenbroich, Germany
| | - Ulf Dittmer
- Institute for Virology, University Hospital Essen, Germany
| | - Ken Herrmann
- Clinic of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Essen, Germany
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Respiratory conditions in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Important considerations regarding novel treatment strategies to reduce mortality. Med Hypotheses 2020; 140:109760. [PMID: 32344310 PMCID: PMC7175905 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109760] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
A novel virus named 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV/SARS-CoV-2) causes symptoms that are classified as coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Respiratory conditions are extensively described among more serious cases of COVID-19, and the onset of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is one of the hallmark features of critical COVID-19 cases. ARDS can be directly life-threatening because it is associated with low blood oxygenation levels and can result in organ failure. There are no generally recognized effective treatments for COVID-19, but treatments are urgently needed. Anti-viral medications and vaccines are in the early developmental stages and may take many months or even years to fully develop. At present, management of COVID-19 with respiratory and ventilator support are standard therapeutic treatments, but unfortunately such treatments are associated with high mortality rates. Therefore, it is imperative to consider novel new therapeutic interventions to treat/ameliorate respiratory conditions associated with COVID-19. Alternate treatment strategies utilizing clinically available treatments such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT), packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusions, or erthropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) therapy were hypothesized to increase oxygenation of tissues by alternative means than standard respiratory and ventilator treatments. It was also revealed that alternative treatments currently being considered for COVID-19 such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine by increasing hemoglobin production and increasing hemoglobin availability for oxygen binding and acetazolamine (for the treatment of altitude sickness) by causing hyperventilation with associated increasing levels of oxygen and decreasing levels of carbon dioxide in the blood may significantly ameliorate COVID-19 respiratory symptoms. In conclusion, is recommend, given HBOT, pRBC, and ESA therapies are currently available and routinely utilized in the treatment of other conditions, that such therapies be tried among COVID-19 patients with serious respiratory conditions and that future controlled-clinical trials explore the potential usefulness of such treatments among COVID-19 patients with respiratory conditions.
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