Physiologic 18 F-FDG muscle uptake in severe COPD: Implications for accurate lung cancer staging.

Recognizing physiologic 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) uptake in severe COPD is crucial to avoid mistaking it for lung cancer metastasis. Correlating 18 F-FDG avid lesions with co-registered computed tomography is essential for accurate lung cancer staging and preventing unnecessary interventions.