High-resolution CT features of COVID-19 pneumonia in confirmed cases

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus (COVID-19) pneumonia emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It was highly contagious spreading all over the world, with a rapid increase in the number of deaths. COVID-19 is characterized by fever, fatigue, dry cough, and dyspnea with variable chest imaging features which have been detected. In our study, we shared our experience of CT findings in proven cases of COVID-19 to recognize the different CT patterns to help in proper and accurate diagnosis. Results: The most common CT features detected in COVID-19 cases were ground glass patches (93.3%) followed by subpleural linear abnormality (53.3%), air bronchogram (23.3%), and consolidation patches (23.3%), as well as bronchial wall thickening (16.7%), crazy paving pattern (13.3%), and discrete nodules surrounded by ground glass appearance (10%). Only one case had pleural effusion (3.3%). No cavitary lesions or specific lymph nodes were detected in any of the examined patients. The lung lesions showed typical diffuse, basal, and subpleural involvement with less affection of the upper lobes. Conclusion: CT imaging findings of COVID-19 can help in early and accurate diagnosis of COVID-19 and proper assessment of the severity of the disease.

Spectrum of CT appearance and CT severity index of COVID-19 pulmonary infection in correlation with age, sex, and PCR test: an Iraqi experience

“…The current study showed that about 58.2% of patients were male and 41.8% were female and that the more severe CT pulmonary changes (i.e., higher CT severity score) was significantly associated with male gender. This was in agreement with many other studies that showed that COVID-19 infection affect males more than females and the former tend to have a more severe form of the disease and this might be attributed to the biological differences between men and women [ 7 , 8 ]. One of these studies was that done by Borghesi et al who studied 783 Italian patients and found that higher CXR score was significantly higher in males than in females [ 8 ].…”

“…The current study revealed that the ground glass opacities were the most common encountered pattern of pulmonary changes and were seen in 136 patients (79%) with associated vascular dilatation seen in 70% of cases and seen within the areas of ground glass patches. This was similar to many other studies, Parry et al [ 11 ], Omar et al in Egypt [ 7 ], and Adnan et al [ 12 ], where ground glass pattern was the most common CT pattern in their studies. Intralesional vascular enlargement was encountered in 70% in the study sample of Parry et al [ 11 ].…”

“…2 A 36-year-old male patient with positive PCR test. Chest CT shows bilateral ground glass opacities in a peripheral/subpleural distribution with lung involvement of 5-25%, i.e., CT severity score of 2 [7], and Adnan et al [12], where ground glass pattern was the most common CT pattern in their studies. Intralesional vascular enlargement was encountered in 70% in the study sample of Parry et al [11].…”

COVID-19 infection: epidemiological, clinical, and radiological expression among adult population

“…On analysis of the imaging features, the bilateral multi-lobar affection with peripheral distribution was the commonest interpreting finding, and GGOs were the most encountered pattern; other reported patterns were consolidations and crazy paving as well as the septal lines. Similar outcome was stated by many studies [6,[18][19][20][21][22][23].…”

Tomographic findings in patients with COVID-19 according to evolution of the disease

“…Chest radiographs have little diagnostic value in the early stages, while CT findings may be present even before the onset of symptoms [ 18 ]. Frequent features such as ground glass opacities with or without consolidated anomalies are considered compatible with viral pneumonia [ 20 – 22 ]. If these findings are added multifocality, a predominant distribution in subpleural and peribronchovascular regions, they can be considered a COVID-19 pattern [ 23 ].…”