Infection Control of COVID-19: Surgical Mask-Related Facial Cutaneous Artifact on FDG PET/CT.

In accordance with published international COVID-19 pandemic guidance (American College of Nuclear Medicine, British Nuclear Medicine Society, and European Association of Nuclear Medicine), the use of face masks has become an essential part of infection control for both patients and staff. A 56-year-old man with mantle cell lymphoma underwent staging FDG PET/CT, which demonstrated avid lymphadenopathy below the diaphragm and an unusual diffuse FDG uptake projected over the face, raising the suspicion of cutaneous lymphomatous involvement. On reflection of the clinical scenario and scanning conditions, cutaneous involvement was discounted; the pattern of uptake and lack of CT correlate were supportive of a cutaneous artifact related to the presence of the patient's mask.