Incidental radiological findings suggestive of COVID-19 in asymptomatic patients

Abstract

Despite routine screening of patients for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms and signs at hospital entrances, patients may slip between the cracks and be incidentally discovered to have lung findings that could indicate COVID-19 infection on imaging obtained for other reasons. Multiple case reports and case series have been published to identify the pattern of this highly infectious disease. This article addresses the radiographic findings in different imaging modalities that may be incidentally seen in asymptomatic patients who carry COVID-19. In general, findings of COVID-19 infection may appear in computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography-CT, ultrasound, or plain X-rays that show lung or only apical or basal cuts. The identification of these characteristics by radiologists and clinicians is crucial because this would help in the early recognition of cases so that a rapid treatment protocol can be established, the immediate isolation to reduce community transmission, and the organization of close monitoring. Thus, it is important to both the patient and the physician that these findings are highlighted and reported.

Evaluation of Non-COVID-19 CT Scan Findings Detected on CT Images Performed due to Suspected COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Retrospective Analysis of 6669 Cases

“…According to the definition of the ACR, an incidental finding, also known as an incidentaloma, can be defined as an incidentally discovered mass or lesion detected by CT, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), or other imaging methods performed for an unrelated reason (14). While these incidental findings are sometimes early diagnoses for the patients and save a life, they can occasionally lead to unnecessary further investigations.…”