Erschienen in:
30.05.2020 | COVID-19 | Chest
Zur Zeit gratis
Radiographic findings in 240 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: time-dependence after the onset of symptoms
verfasst von:
Sergio Giuseppe Vancheri, Giovanni Savietto, Francesco Ballati, Alessia Maggi, Costanza Canino, Chandra Bortolotto, Adele Valentini, Roberto Dore, Giulia Maria Stella, Angelo Guido Corsico, Giorgio Antonio Iotti, Francesco Mojoli, Stefano Perlini, Raffaele Bruno, Lorenzo Preda
Erschienen in:
European Radiology
|
Ausgabe 11/2020
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Abstract
Objective
To analyze the most frequent radiographic features of COVID-19 pneumonia and assess the effectiveness of chest X-ray (CXR) in detecting pulmonary alterations.
Materials and methods
CXR of 240 symptomatic patients (70% male, mean age 65 ± 16 years), with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by RT-PCR, was retrospectively evaluated. Patients were clustered in four groups based on the number of days between symptom onset and CXR: group A (0–2 days), 49 patients; group B (3–5), 75 patients; group C (6–9), 85 patients; and group D (> 9), 31 patients. Alteration’s type (reticular/ground-glass opacity (GGO)/consolidation) and distribution (bilateral/unilateral, upper/middle/lower fields, peripheral/central) were noted. Statistical significance was tested using chi-square test.
Results
Among 240 patients who underwent CXR, 180 (75%) showed alterations (group A, 63.3%; group B, 72%; group C, 81.2%; group D, 83.9%). GGO was observed in 124/180 patients (68.8%), reticular alteration in 113/180 (62.7%), and consolidation in 71/180 (39.4%). Consolidation was significantly less frequent (p < 0.01). Distribution among groups was as follows: reticular alteration (group A, 70.9%; group B, 72.2%; group C, 57.9%; group D, 46.1%), GGO (group A, 67.7%; group B, 62.9%; group C, 71%; group D, 76.9%), and consolidation (group A, 35.5%; group B, 31.4%; group C, 47.8%; group D, 38.5%). Alterations were bilateral in 73.3%. Upper, middle, and lower fields were involved in 36.7%, 79.4%, and 87.8%, respectively. Lesions were peripheral in 49.4%, central in 11.1%, or both in 39.4%. Upper fields and central zones were significantly less involved (p < 0.01).
Conclusions
The most frequent lesions in COVID-19 patients were GGO (intermediate/late phase) and reticular alteration (early phase) while consolidation gradually increased over time. The most frequent distribution was bilateral, peripheral, and with middle/lower predominance. Overall rate of negative CXR was 25%, which progressively decreased over time.
Key Points
• The predominant lung changes were GGO and reticular alteration, while consolidation was less frequent.
• The typical distribution pattern was bilateral, peripheral, or both peripheral and central and involved predominantly the lower and middle fields.
• Chest radiography showed lung abnormalities in 75% of patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, range varied from 63.3 to 83.9%, respectively, at 0–2 days and > 9 days from the onset of symptoms.