Computed tomography findings of COVID-19 in pediatric patients

Abstract

Background. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the thorax Computed Tomography (CT) findings of pediatric patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) and to discuss these findings in light of the results of adult patients from the literature. Methods. The CT scans of pediatric patients (1-18 years old) with a diagnosis of COVID-19 by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in our hospital between March 2020 and January 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. The scans were interpreted regarding the distribution and localization features, and involvement patterns including ground-glass opacity, consolidation, halo/reversed halo sign, interlobular septal thickening, air bronchograms and bronchiectasis. The frequencies of these findings in pediatric cases in our study were recorded. Results. A total of 95 patients with a mean age of 13±4.6 years were included in this study. Among them, 34 (36%) had lesions associated with COVID-19 on CT scans. Bilateral involvement was detected in 15 (44%) while unilateral in 19 (56%) patients. Eighteen (53%) patients had single lobe involvement. In 16 (47%) patients a solitary lesion was detected and in 18 (53%) multiple lesions were present. Ground-glass opacity appearance was observed in 28 (82%), consolidation in 9 (26%), and ground-glass opacity with consolidation in 8 (24%), halo sign in 9 (26%), reversed halo sign in 2 (6%), interlobular septal thickening (interstitial thickening) in 1 (3%) patients. Conclusions. As symptoms are relatively milder in children with COVID-19, CT findings are less extensive than in adults. It is essential to know the thorax CT findings that aid in the diagnosis and follow-up of the disease.

The Respiratory Microbiome in Paediatric Chronic Wet Cough: What Is Known and Future Directions

“…Similarly, there are few data on non-classical respiratory and recently described viruses (e.g., human bocavirus, human polyomavirus WU and KI, anellovirus) [ 40 , 42 , 46 , 53 ] and their relationship with PBB and bronchiectasis, although one study reported an association between anelloviruses and bronchiectasis [ 54 ]. Data describing the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on PBB and bronchiectasis are sparse; however, several studies found bronchiectasis can be a long-term complication following hospitalisation for COVID-19, both among adults (up to 38%) [ 55 , 56 ] and among children (6%) [ 57 ]. Other data suggests human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 is associated with bronchiectasis [ 58 ]; however, more recent research demonstrates this association does not hold for children, even when living in the same communities as affected adults [ 41 ].…”

Standardization of a CT Protocol for Imaging Patients with Suspected COVID-19—A RACOON Project

“…The radiation exposure should remain within the reference levels unless there are compelling reasons not to do so (e.g., obese patients, challenging patient positioning). Although the majority of patients with more severe infections are older in age, young and even pediatric patients also require CT scans for diagnosis and treatment supervision [ 22 , 23 ].…”