Abstract
ObjectiveTo evaluate the performance of 1.5 T true fast imaging with steady state precession (TrueFISP) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences for the detection and characterization of pulmonary abnormalities caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Materials and MethodsIn this retrospective single-center study, computed tomography (CT) and MRI scans of 20 patients with COVID-19 pneumonia were evaluated with regard to the distribution, opacity, and appearance of pulmonary lesions, as well as bronchial changes, pleural effusion, and thoracic lymphadenopathy. McNemar’s test was used in order to compare the COVID-19-associated alterations seen on CT with those seen on MRI.ResultsGround-glass opacities were better visualized on CT than on MRI (p = 0.031). We found no statistically significant differences between CT and MRI regarding the visualization/characterization of the following: consolidations; interlobular/intralobular septal thickening; the distribution or appearance of pulmonary abnormalities; bronchial pathologies; pleural effusion; and thoracic lymphadenopathy.ConclusionPulmonary abnormalities caused by COVID-19 pneumonia can be detected on TrueFISP MRI sequences and correspond to the patterns known from CT. Especially during the current pandemic, the portions of the lungs imaged on cardiac or abdominal MRI should be carefully evaluated to promote the identification and isolation of unexpected cases of COVID-19, thereby curbing further spread of the disease.
Highlights
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first described in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, China
Pulmonary abnormalities caused by COVID-19 pneumonia can be detected on TrueFISP magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences and correspond to the patterns known from computed tomography (CT)
The mean interval between the first reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) that was positive for SARS-CoV-2 and the CT examination was 8.1 ± 11.7 days
Summary
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was first described in December 2019 in the city of Wuhan, China. Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been spreading rapidly around the globe, causing a pandemic that, by the end of January 2021, resulted in more than 100 million confirmed cases and over 2 million confirmed deaths[1]. The last symptom in particular can be attributed to pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2, which in some patients has a severe course and may lead to death, especially in individuals with pre-existing medical conditions and in the elderly[2,3]. Complications such as pulmonary artery embolism and myocardial injury worsen the prognosis of affected patients[4,5]. Consolidations and linear opacities can be observed, as can thickened interlobular and intralobular septa, as well as the mosaic (crazy-paving) pattern and the reverse halo sign[7,8,9]
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