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01-12-2020 | Coronavirus | Gastrointestinal

Lung base CT findings in COVID-19 adult patients presenting with acute abdominal complaints: case series from a major New York City health system

Authors: Michael J. King, Sara Lewis, Maria El Homsi, Gabriela Hernandez Meza, Adam Bernheim, Adam Jacobi, Michael Chung, Bachir Taouli

Published in: European Radiology | Issue 12/2020

Abstract

Objective

To describe demographic, clinical, and lung base CT findings in COVID-19 patients presenting with abdominal complaints.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 76 COVID-19 patients who underwent abdominal CT for abdominal complaints from March 1 to April 15, 2020, in a large urban multihospital Health System were included. Those with positive abdominal CT findings (n = 14) were then excluded, with 62 patients undergoing final analysis (30M/32F; median age 63 years, interquartile range (IQR) 52–75 years, range 30–90 years). Demographic and clinical data were extracted. CT lung base assessment was performed by a cardiothoracic radiologist. Data were compared between discharged and hospitalised patients using Wilcoxon or Fisher’s exact tests.

Results

The majority of the population was non-elderly (56.4%, < 65 years) and most (81%) had underlying health conditions. Nineteen percent were discharged and 81% were hospitalised. The most frequent abdominal symptoms were pain (83.9%) and nausea/vomiting/anorexia (46.8%). Lung base CT findings included ground-glass opacities (95.2%) in a multifocal (95.2%) and peripheral (66.1%) distribution. Elevated laboratory values (when available) included C-reactive protein (CRP) (97.3%), D-dimer (79.4%), and ferritin (68.8% of males and 81.8% of females). Older age (p = 0.045), hypertension (p = 0.019), and lower haemoglobin in women (p = 0.042) were more frequent in hospitalised patients. There was no difference in lung base CT findings between discharged and hospitalised patients (p > 0.165).

Conclusions

COVID-19 patients can present with abdominal symptoms, especially in non-elderly patients with underlying health conditions. Lung base findings on abdominal CT are consistent with published reports. Radiologists should be aware of atypical presentations of COVID-19.

Key Points

• COVID-19 infected patients can present with acute abdominal symptoms, especially in non-elderly patients with underlying health conditions, and may frequently require hospitalisation (81%).

• There was no difference in lung base CT findings between patients who were discharged and those who were hospitalised.

• Lung base CT findings included multifocal and peripheral ground-glass opacities, consistent with published reports.

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Title: Lung base CT findings in COVID-19 adult patients presenting with acute abdominal complaints: case series from a major New York City health system
Authors: Michael J. King
Sara Lewis
Maria El Homsi
Gabriela Hernandez Meza
Adam Bernheim
Adam Jacobi
Michael Chung
Bachir Taouli
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Coronavirus
Computed Tomography
Computed Tomography
COVID-19
Published in: European Radiology / Issue 12/2020
Print ISSN: 0938-7994
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1084
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-020-07040-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Lung base CT findings in COVID-19 adult patients presenting with acute abdominal complaints: case series from a major New York City health system

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Key Points

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