Title:Potential Applications of FDG-PET/CT in COPD: A Review of the Literature
Volume: 3
Issue: 3
Author(s): Soren Hess and Poul Henning Madsen
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Pulmonary emphysema, COPD, PET, Inflammation.
Abstract: One of many new potential indications for combined positron emission tomography/
computed tomography (PET/CT) with 18-fluoro-deoxy-glucose (FDG) is chronic obstructive
pulmonary disorder (COPD). This disease has certain inflammatory components that are detectable
and assessable by FDG-PET/CT, e.g. assessment of the inflammatory component, both regionally and
systemic, evaluation of increased activity in accessory breathing muscles, and review of chronic right
ventricle overload. The literature is limited, but preliminary results provide some pointers towards potential
uses to be considered, and this short status article reviews the potential novel applications of FDG-PET/CT in the
setting of COPD.