Published in:
01-03-2021 | Coronavirus | Practice
Abdominal CT in COVID-19 patients: incidence, indications, and findings
Published in: Abdominal Radiology | Issue 3/2021
Login to get accessAbstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency, indications, and findings of abdominal CTs ordered in the initial evaluation of patients who had a positive COVID-19 test performed in our institution.
Methods
Retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who had a positive test for COVID-19 performed at a single quaternary care center from 1/20/2020 through 5/8/2020. In a subset of patients undergoing abdominal CT as part of the initial evaluation, the demographics, suspected COVID-19 status at the time of scan, presenting complaints, and abdominal CT findings were recorded. Cardiothoracic radiologists reviewed and scored the visualized lung bases for the likelihood of COVID-19.
Results
Only 43 (4.1%) of 1057 COVID-19 patients presented with abdominal complaints sufficient to warrant an abdominal CT. Of these 43 patients, the vast majority (39, 91%) were known or suspected to have COVID-19 at the time of the scan. Most (27/43, 63%) scans showed no acute abdominal abnormality, and those that were positive did not share a discernable pattern of abnormalities. Lung base abnormalities were common, and there was moderate inter-reviewer reliability.
Conclusion
A minority of COVID-19 patients present with abdominal complaints sufficient to warrant a dedicated CT of the abdomen, and most of these studies will be negative or have abdominal findings not associated with COVID-19. Appropriate lung base findings are a more consistent indication of COVID-19 infection than abdominal findings.