Effects of COVID-19 vaccination on FDG-PET/CT imaging: A literature review

Abstract

COVID-19 vaccination using mRNA technology began at the end of 2020 in several countries, approximately 9 months after the WHO declared the new coronavirus a pandemic, and began in Japan at the end of February 2021. Several studies have reported FDG avidity in enlarged axillary lymph nodes as a specific feature of FDG-PET/CT imaging after COVID-19 vaccination. A major concern is that this finding could lead to a misdiagnosis in patients with various types of malignancy. We review the impact of COVID-19 vaccination on the management of patients scheduled for FDG-PET/CT in the setting of nationwide mass vaccination.