Abstract
BackgroundSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the subsequent global outbreak (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) was declared a public health emergency in January 2020. Recent radiologic literature regarding COVID-19 has primarily focused on Computed Tomography (CT) chest findings, with chest radiography lacking in comparison.ObjectivesTo describe the demographic profile of adult patients with COVID-19 pneumonia requiring hospital admission. To describe and quantify the imaging spectrum on chest radiography using a severity index, and to correlate the severity of disease with prognosis.MethodRetrospective review of chest radiographs and laboratory records in patients admitted to a South African tertiary hospital with confirmed COVID-19 infection. The chest X-rays were systematically reviewed for several radiographic features, which were then quantified using the Brixia scoring system, and correlated to the patient’s outcome.ResultsA total of 175 patients (mean age: 53.34 years) admitted with COVID-19 were included. Ground glass opacification (98.9%), consolidation (86.3%), and pleural effusion (29.1%) was commonly found. Involvement of bilateral lung fields (96.6%) with no zonal predominance (61.7%), was most prevalent. Correlation between the Brixia score and outcome was found between severe disease and death (odds ratio [OR]: 12.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.58–104.61). Many patients had unknown TB (71.4%) and HIV (72.6%) statuses.ConclusionIn this study population, ground glass opacification, consolidation, and pleural effusions, with bilateral lung involvement and no zonal predominance were the most prevalent findings in proven COVID-19 infection. Quantification using the Brixia scoring system may assist with timeous assessment of disease severity in COVID-19 positive patients, as an overall predicator of clinical outcome.
Highlights
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, Hubei province, China in December 2019.1 Coronaviruses can cause multi-system infections in various animals; and mainly affects the respiratory tract in humans.[1]
This study aims to retrospectively analyse and quantify chest radiograph findings of confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to a South African isolation hospital, where concomitant pulmonary manifestations of infectious diseases such and HIV and TB may pose an additional diagnostic dilemma
All COVID-19 positive patients admitted during the stipulated time, who underwent chest X-rays (CXRs) were recorded on a database using the picture archiving and communications system
Summary
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, Hubei province, China in December 2019.1 Coronaviruses can cause multi-system infections in various animals; and mainly affects the respiratory tract in humans.[1] The resultant pneumonia resembles SARS and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS). The genome of SARS-CoV-2, differs from SARS and MERS, and this virus may lead to unconventional clinical presentations, with differing imaging findings.[2] The subsequent global outbreak (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) was declared a public health emergency internationally by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 30 January 2020.3 As of December 2021, South Africa’s total confirmed cases were 3 203 with 89 944 deaths, according to statistics from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). Recent radiologic literature regarding COVID-19 has primarily focused on Computed Tomography (CT) chest findings, with chest radiography lacking in comparison
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
