It is highly necessary to identify low versus high risk thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) before operation to guide optimal treatment strategies. Current CT diagnostic parameters could not effectively achieve this goal. We evaluated three parameters of CT scan in a cohort of 216 TETs patients. Parameters of contrast enhancement, risk of aggressiveness, and nodule with fibrous septum were evaluated in low (A, AB) versus high risk (B1, B2, B3 and thymic carcinoma) TETs. Grade of contrast enhancement showed predictive value in classifying low and high risk TETs well. A maximal contrast-enhanced range of 25.5 HU could produce 78.8% sensitivity and 68.5% specificity in determining low risk subtypes. Additionally, risk of aggressiveness parameter was demonstrated to be associated with TETs subtype (r = 0.801, P < 0.001) and may add confidence in determining low versus high risk subtypes. Furthermore, multiple nodule with fibrous septum could suggest subtype AB. Findings from this study support role of studied parameters of CT manifestations in predicting the low and high risk stages of TETs. These findings provide empirical evidence for incorporating these parameters in clinical practice for identifying TETs stage before operation, if validated in additional studies.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. This study aims to examine the changes in peripheral blood parameters during the early stages of COVID‐19 and influenza. We analyzed the peripheral blood parameters of 169 COVID‐19 patients and 131 influenza patients during the early‐onset stage. Results from the patients with COVID‐19 were compared with those from healthy controls and influenza patients. In addition, results from patients with common and severe COVID‐19 were further compared. There were significant differences between COVID‐19 and influenza patients in terms of age, white blood cell count, platelet count, percentage of neutrophils, percentage of lymphocytes, percentage of monocytes, percentage of eosinophils, percentage of basophils, neutrophil, count and monocyte count. Two parameters (monocyte count and percentage of basophils) were combined to clarify the diagnostic efficacy of COVID‐19 and influenza and the area under the curve was found to be 0.772. Comparison of peripheral blood parameters from common COVID‐19, severe COVID‐19, and influenza patients revealed many differences during the early disease stages. The diagnostic formula developed by this study will be of benefit for physicians in the differentiation of COVID‐19 and influenza.

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