Incidental CT Findings Suspicious for COVID-19–Associated Pneumonia on Nuclear Medicine Examinations: Recognition and Management Plan. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tulchinsky, Mark; Fotos, Joseph S.; Slonimsky, Einat
• Is Part Of: Clinical nuclear medicine. Volume 45:Number 7(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: coronavirus -- coronavirus identified in 2019 -- COVID-19 -- severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 -- SARS-CoV-2 -- pneumonia -- viral -- COVID-19–associated pneumonia -- betacoronavirus -- single photon emission computed tomography computed tomography -- nuclear medicine -- tomography -- x-ray computed; Nuclear medicine -- Periodicals; Radioisotope scanning -- Periodicals; Nuclear Medicine -- Periodicals; 616.07575
• DOI: 10.1097/RLU.0000000000003100
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-9762

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Some patients undergoing routine SPECT/CT and PET/CT examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic may incidentally reveal findings of COVID-19–associated pneumonia (C-19AP) on localizing CT. It is critical for nuclear medicine physicians to develop diagnostic skills for timely recognition of typical findings of C-19AP on a localizing CT. Furthermore, it is our responsibility to know the optimal practices for safely isolating and managing such patients while protecting the staff, other patients at the facility, family and/or friend accompanying the patients, and the public in general from risky exposure to COVID-19 sources. We offer several steps following an encounter suspicious of C-19AP.