Chest CT Findings in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Its Relationship With Clinical Features

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the chest computed tomography (CT) findings in patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 and to evaluate its relationship with clinical features. Materials and Methods: Study sample consisted of 80 patients diagnosed as COVID-19 from January to February 2020. The chest CT images and clinical data were reviewed, and the relationship between them was analyzed. Results: Totally, 80 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were included. With regards to the clinical manifestations, 58 (73%) of the 80 patients had cough, and 61 (76%) of the 80 patients had high temperature levels. The most frequent CT abnormalities observed were ground glass opacity (73/80 cases, 91%), consolidation (50/80 cases, 63%), and interlobular septal thickening (47/80, 59%). Most of the lesions were multiple, with an average of 12 ± 6 lung segments involved. The most common involved lung segments were the dorsal segment of the right lower lobe (69/80, 86%), the posterior basal segment of the right lower lobe (68/80, 85%), the lateral basal segment of the right lower lobe (64/80, 80%), the dorsal segment of the left lower lobe (61/80, 76%), and the posterior basal segment of the left lower lobe (65/80, 81%). The average pulmonary inflammation index value was (34% ± 20%) for all the patients. Correlation analysis showed that the pulmonary inflammation index value was significantly correlated with the values of lymphocyte count, monocyte count, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, days from illness onset, and body temperature (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The common chest CT findings of COVID-19 are multiple ground glass opacity, consolidation, and interlobular septal thickening in both lungs, which are mostly distributed under the pleura. There are significant correlations between the degree of pulmonary inflammation and the main clinical symptoms and laboratory results. Computed tomography plays an important role in the diagnosis and evaluation of this emerging global health emergency.

Quantitative computed tomography analysis for stratifying the severity of Coronavirus Disease 2019

“…This method made it much easier for us to assess the lesions. CT signs, GGO, consolidation, and fibrosis manifest differently over the course of the disease [21] and have different density ranges. This study shows that the proportion of consolidation increases with mean lesion density, and the proportion of GGOs, decreases with mean lesion density.…”

Chest CT features and their role in COVID-19

“…The respective incidence rate of GGOs and consolidation are about 86% and 29% [15]. The most common morphology of these opacities are patchy and round ones, followed by triangular and linear ones [16,17]. The triangular or angular GGOs under the pleura with thickened internal interlobular septa is considered a new sign that one research paper has termed the "spider web" [17].…”

“…The most common morphology of these opacities are patchy and round ones, followed by triangular and linear ones [16,17]. The triangular or angular GGOs under the pleura with thickened internal interlobular septa is considered a new sign that one research paper has termed the "spider web" [17]. Special classic signs, including "crazy paving" or "reverse halo", can also be seen, while cavitation, nodules, pleural effusions, and lymphadenopathy are rare.…”

An update on CT chest findings in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19)

“…Based on these results, it can be suggested that the patients with the worst blood/ laboratory findings are also expected to have worse PII index values. 4,5 Finally, it is not surprising to find basal lung involvements (right or left), since ill patients would be less ambulatory and hence, likely to develop radiological changes in the dependent areas of the lungs. There are no studies focusing especially on immunocompromised patients, but it is expected that such patients are expected to develop more complications based on the previously established literature.…”

“…Similarly, Wu et al reported the dorsal segment of the right lower lobe (69/80 cases, 86%), a posterior basal segment of the right lower lobe (68/80 cases, 85%), and the lateral segment of the right lower lobe (64/80 cases, 80%) as the top 3 lung segments involved in their study. 4 As mentioned above, most studies found bilateral lung disease involvement.…”