COVID-19-Related Incidental Pancreatitis Detected on FDG-PET Scan

Area of Science:

• * Internal Medicine
• * Infectious Diseases
• * Radiology

Background:

• * Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), primarily impacts the respiratory system.
• * However, SARS-CoV-2 can also affect other organs, including the gastrointestinal tract, by targeting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) type 2 cells.
• * Previous reports have documented thyroiditis, lymphangitis, and pancreatitis linked to COVID-19, potentially due to direct viral cytotoxicity.

Observation:

• * This case report details an incidental finding of mild pancreatic inflammation on 18-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) computed tomography (CT) scan.
• * The patient was asymptomatic and undergoing routine imaging for staging after a stem cell transplant.
• * The patient had recently recovered from a severe case of COVID-19.

Findings:

• * The FDG PET-CT scan revealed mild pancreatic inflammation, suggesting pancreatitis.
• * This finding was incidental, as the patient exhibited no overt clinical symptoms related to pancreatic involvement.
• * The pancreatic inflammation is presumed to be a consequence of the recent SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Implications:

• * This case underscores that COVID-19 can initiate subtle inflammatory responses in various organs, which may go unnoticed clinically.
• * Early detection of such insidious inflammatory processes is crucial to prevent potential end-organ damage.
• * Further research is warranted to understand the long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 on non-respiratory organs and to develop diagnostic strategies for subclinical inflammation.