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Emergency Radiology

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01-12-2020 | Computed Tomography | Original Article

Chest CT in COVID-19 pneumonia: what are the findings in mid-term follow-up?

Authors: Seyed Mohammad Hossein Tabatabaei, Hamid Rajebi, Fahimeh Moghaddas, Mojtaba Ghasemiadl, Hamidreza Talari

Published in: Emergency Radiology | Issue 6/2020

Abstract

Purpose

The purposes of this study are to investigate mid-term chest computed tomography (CT) findings of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, assess the rate of complete resolution, and determine the individuals at risk for residual abnormalities.

Methods

Fifty-two cases of COVID-19 pneumonia with at least two chest CTs and mean 3-month interval between the initial and follow-up CT were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were categorized into two groups: complete resolution and residual disease on follow-up CT. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic data as well as initial and follow-up chest CT scans were compared and analyzed.

Results

Thirty patients (57.7%) demonstrate complete resolution of pulmonary findings, and 22 patients (42.3%) had residual disease on follow-up CT. The mean time interval between initial and follow-up CT was 91.3 ± 17.2 and 90.6 ± 14.3 days in the complete resolution and residual groups, respectively. The most common radiologic pattern in residual disease was ground-glass opacities (54.5%), followed by mixed ground-glass and subpleural parenchymal bands (31.8%), and pure parenchymal bands (13.7%). Compared to complete resolution group, patients with residual disease had higher CT severity score on initial exam (10.3 ± 5.4 vs. 7.3 ± 4.6, P value = 0.036), longer duration of hospitalization, higher rate of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, more underlying medical conditions, higher initial WBC count, and higher occurrence rate of leukocytosis in the hospitalization time period (all P values < 0.05).

Conclusion

Extensive lung involvement on initial CT, ICU admission, long duration of hospitalization, presence of underlying medical conditions, high initial WBC count, and development of leukocytosis during the course of disease are associated with more prevalence of chronic lung sequela of COVID-19.

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Title: Chest CT in COVID-19 pneumonia: what are the findings in mid-term follow-up?
Authors: Seyed Mohammad Hossein Tabatabaei
Hamid Rajebi
Fahimeh Moghaddas
Mojtaba Ghasemiadl
Hamidreza Talari
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Computed Tomography
Computed Tomography
Pneumonia
COVID-19
Leukocytosis
Published in: Emergency Radiology / Issue 6/2020
Print ISSN: 1070-3004
Electronic ISSN: 1438-1435
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-020-01869-z

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Chest CT in COVID-19 pneumonia: what are the findings in mid-term follow-up?

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on sleep in brain health

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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