Remarkable vessel enlargement within lung consolidation in COVID-19 compared to AH1N1 pneumonia: A retrospective study in Italy

Abstract

To investigate the early CT findings in COVID-19 pneumonia as compared to influenza A virus H1N1 (AH1N1), with focus on vascular enlargement within consolidation or ground glass opacity (GGO) areas. Methods: 50 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were retrospectively compared to 50 patients with AH1N1 pneumonia diagnosed during the 2009 pandemic. Two radiologists reviewed chest CT scans independently and blindly, with discordance resolved by consensus. Dilated or tortuous vessels within hyperdense lesions were recorded. Results: COVID-19 pneumonia presented with bilateral (96%), peripheral areas of GGO (22%), consolidation (4%) or combined GGO-consolidation (74%). The vascular enlargement sign in COVID-19 pneumonia was much more commonly present in COVID-19 (45/50, 90%) versus AH1N1 pneumonia (12/50, 24%) (p < 0.001). Vascular enlargement was more often present in lower lobes with a peripheral distribution. Conclusions: Vascular enlargement in consolidative/GGO areas may represent a reasonably common early CT marker in COVID-19 patients and is of uncertain etiology. Although speculative, theoretical mechanisms could potentially reflect acute inflammatory changes, pulmonary endothelial activation, or acute stasis. Further studies are necessary to verify specificity and to study if prognostic for clinical outcomes.

Adiponectin, Leptin, and Resistin Are Dysregulated in Patients Infected by SARS-CoV-2

“…The symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection are highly heterogeneous including asymptomatic infection, mild symptoms such as fever, dry cough, and dyspnea, and in more serious cases, multilobar pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) [ 1 ]. The heterogeneity of these clinical manifestations is strongly linked to general health conditions, vaccination state, age, and concomitant morbidities (particularly hypertension, obesity, and/or type 2 diabetes) of COVID-19 patients [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Obesity, through the dysregulation of the adipose tissue’s (AT) endocrine functions, may compromise the immune surveillance system, thus representing a critical risk factor for various infections, complications, and mortality [ 6 , 7 ].…”

Exploring the Role of Krebs von den Lungen-6 in Severe to Critical COVID-19 Patients

“…Chest imaging has played a key role during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in detecting alterations in lung and severity quantification [ 29 ]. Severity scores have been developed for both chest computed tomography (CT) and lung ultrasound, such as Chung severity score [ 30 ] and lung ultrasound score (LUS) [ 31 ], respectively.…”

Exploring the Network between Adipocytokines and Inflammatory Response in SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Scoping Review

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