Analysis of the initial chest high resolution CT manifestations of COVID-19

Abstract

Objective To investigate the initial chest high resolution CT (HRCT) manifestations of the patients with COVID-19. Methods A retrospective analysis of the first chest HRCT images of 106 patients with COVID-19 was performed who were confirmed in our hospital from January 3 to 25, 2020. Lesion distribution, morphology and surrounding involvement were analyzed. Results The lesions were found on all initial HRCT images of 106 patients, with unilateral lung distribution in 11 cases (10.4%) and bilateral lung distribution in other 95 cases(89.6%), peripheral distribution of lung in 65 cases (61.3%) and peripheral and central distribution in other 41 cases (38.7%). HRCT showed 8 cases (7.5%) with 1 lesion, 5 cases (4.7%) with 2 lesions, and other 93 cases (87.8%) with multiple lesions. HRCT also showed the nodular lesions in 12 cases(11.3%), ground-glass opacities in 94 cases (88.7%), fibrous stripes in 7 cases (6.6%), and mixed lesions in 15 cases (14.2%). Only one lung lobe was involved in 10 cases (9.4%) , while more than two lobes were involved in other 96 cases (90.6%) . In addition, 24 cases (22.6%) with enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes (over 60 years old in 19 cases, accounting for 79.2%), 3 cases with pleural effusion (2.8 %), 1 case with pericardial effusion (0.9%), and 2 cases with pleural involvement/thickening (1.9%) were found. Patients over 60 years old mostly presented with multiple lesions, various appearances, peripheral and central distributions of lungs, involving multiple lobes, and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes. Conclusions Lung COVID-19 lesions can be shown by the initial chest HRCT, which is the preferred imaging method. Thoracic HRCT scans play an important role in the early diagnosis of COVID-19. Key words: COVID-19; Tomography, X-ray computed