COVID-19 Vaccine-Induced Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome With Polyserositis Detected by FDG PET/CT

Abstract

Of the various adverse reactions to COVID-19 vaccines, fever is a common systemic symptom that often resolves spontaneously without treatment. However, rare vaccine-induced conditions that present with fever and systemic inflammation have been reported. In this case, a 65-year-old man with BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccination underwent F-18-FDG PET/CT to evaluate prolonged fever and elevated serum C-reactive protein. PET/CT showed hypermetabolic infiltration in the pericardium and peritoneum suggesting immune-mediated pericarditis and peritonitis. After administration of high-dose corticosteroids, the patient's symptom resolved. This case suggests that multisystem inflammatory syndrome and polyserositis can be induced by the COVID-19 vaccine.