Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), influenza, and COVID-19, beyond the lungs: a review article

Abstract

Background In the past 20 years four major viral infectious diseases outbreaks caused hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide: SARS, Influenza H1N1, MERS, and COVID-19. They all present clinically initially as upper and lower respiratory tract infections and may progress to multi-organ failure. Methods This study was a systematic review of literature conducted in September 2020 to study extra-pulmonary complications of SARS, FLU, MERS, and current COVID-19. We carried out a systematic search using the keywords in online databases of PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar until June 2020. Objective This article aims to review the most common extra-pulmonary manifestations of SARS, Influenza, MERS, and COVID-19. Discussion Several studies have reported extra-pulmonary conditions in patients diagnosed with SARS, Influenza, MERS, and COVID-19, either by direct viral injury or from the systemic response to the initial infection. Conclusion SARS, Influenza, MERS, and COVID-19 have all been associated with dysfunction of kidneys, endocrine system, neuromuscular symptoms, perinatal complications, and myocardial injury. Progression from pulmonary disease to a systemic condition has a poor outcome and can result in multi-organ failure.

Ground-glass opacity (GGO): a review of the differential diagnosis in the era of COVID-19

“…The RSNA has proposed a four categories classification for COVID-19 pneumonia (typical, indeterminate, atypical appearance, or negative for pneumonia) to help radiologists in recognizing the most common findings, decreasing reporting variability, and improving communication with clinicians [36]. Differentiation of COVID-19 pneumonia from other lung diseases is challenging and sometimes very hard [37][38][39][40]. The aim of this review is to describe the main differential diagnosis of GGO in the era of COVID-19, based on a clinical-radiological evaluation of various findings (such as the onset of symptoms and the presence of ancillary HRCT signs) that could help radiologists in proposing valid and useful diagnostic hypotheses for an effective multidisciplinary patient's evaluation.…”

Lymphadenopathy after BNT162b2 Covid-19 Vaccine: Preliminary Ultrasound Findings

“…Recent results have revealed the efficiency of some imaging methods, including chest radiographs and chest computed tomography scans, in the management of COVID-19 disease [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ]. Instead, at the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper describing the appearance of nodes after BNT162b2 Covid-19 vaccine.…”

Breast Cancer Screening during COVID-19 Emergency: Patients and Department Management in a Local Experience

“…Some centers [ 28 ] suggest PCR testing before breast interventional procedures in patient with a BIRADS 5 lesion, such as to reduce the waiting time before surgery. However, this would increase the cost of each procedure, and additionally, the waiting time (from 20 min to 2 h) before each interventional procedure [ 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ]. Consequently, it would increase the time lapse between the exams with a reduced number of procedures accomplished per day.…”