Molecular imaging as a tool for evaluation of COVID-19 sequelae – A review of literature

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the novel viral pathogen, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 primarily involves the lungs. Nucleic acid testing based on reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction of respiratory samples is the current gold standard for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Imaging modalities have an established role in triaging, diagnosis, evaluation of disease severity, monitoring disease progression, extra-pulmonary involvement, and complications. As our understanding of the disease improves, there has been substantial evidence to highlight its potential for multi-systemic involvement and development of long-term sequelae. Molecular imaging techniques are highly sensitive, allowing non-invasive visualization of physiological or pathological processes at a cellular or molecular level with potential for detection of functional changes earlier than conventional radiological imaging. The purpose of this review article is to highlight the evolving role of molecular imaging in evaluation of COVID-19 sequelae. Though not ideal for diagnosis, the various modalities of molecular imaging play an important role in assessing pulmonary and extra-pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19. Perfusion imaging using single photon emission computed tomography fused with computed tomography (CT) can be utilized as a first-line imaging modality for COVID-19 related pulmonary embolism. (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)/CT is a sensitive tool to detect multi-systemic inflammation, including myocardial and vascular inflammation. PET in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging helps in better characterization of neurological sequelae of COVID-19. Despite the fact that the majority of published literature is retrospective in nature with limited sample sizes, it is clear that molecular imaging provides additional valuable information (complimentary to anatomical imaging) with semi-quantitative or quantitative parameters to define inflammatory burden and can be used to guide therapeutic strategies and assess response. However, widespread clinical applicability remains a challenge owing to longer image acquisition times and the need for adoption of infection control protocols.