Potential Applications of FDG-PET/CT in COPD: A Review of the Literature

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.