Case 1
A 57-year-old man living in Wuhan presented with sore throat and fever (39.0 °C) lasting for 3 days. Laboratory testing revealed a white blood cell (WBC) count within the reference range and a slight elevation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP; 6.65 mg/L, reference range 0–5 mg/L). A search for common respiratory pathogens, including Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydia pneumoniae, adenovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and Coxsackie B-virus specific IgM, yielded negative results. A chest CT scan conducted in another hospital 2 days before revealed the presence of a GGO in the right lung, which required further diagnostic workout (differential diagnosis between a tumor and an infectious disease). 18F-FDG PET/CT identified peripheral GGOs with an increased 18F-FDG uptake (SUVmax range 2.2–4.6) in the right upper lung (Fig. 1a, b, arrows) and left lower lung (Fig. 1c; arrows). Unfortunately, SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid testing was not performed. Antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and symptomatic treatment for 2 weeks led to complete resolution of symptoms.
Fig. 1 Peripheral GGOs with an increased 18F-FDG uptake in the right upper lung and left lower lung