Published in:
01-08-2021 | Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis | Invited Review
Ground-glass opacity (GGO): a review of the differential diagnosis in the era of COVID-19
Authors:
Diletta Cozzi, Edoardo Cavigli, Chiara Moroni, Olga Smorchkova, Giulia Zantonelli, Silvia Pradella, Vittorio Miele
Published in:
Japanese Journal of Radiology
|
Issue 8/2021
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Abstract
Thoracic imaging is fundamental in the diagnostic route of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) especially in patients admitted to hospitals. In particular, chest computed tomography (CT) has a key role in identifying the typical features of the infection. Ground-glass opacities (GGO) are one of the main CT findings, but their presence is not specific for this viral pneumonia. In fact, GGO is a radiological sign of different pathologies with both acute and subacute/chronic clinical manifestations. In the evaluation of a subject with focal or diffuse GGO, the radiologist has to know the patient’s medical history to obtain a valid diagnostic hypothesis. The authors describe the various CT appearance of GGO, related to the onset of symptoms, focusing also on the ancillary signs that can help radiologist to obtain a correct and prompt diagnosis.