Dynamic MRI in a COVID-19 patient: a case series

Abstract

Extensive spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) prompted an investigation of its diagnostic features. Acute viral pneumonia associated with COVID-19 has been described in detail using CT, radiography, and MRI. There is no data in the literature on the descriptive picture observed with dynamic MRI. Considering a comprehensive diagnostic approach, radiologists should know how to correctly recognize and interpret COVID-19 on MRI. This case series demonstrated the ability of dynamic MRI to detect the cloudy sky sign and distinguish it from consolidation in COVID-19 patients, thus presumably distinguishing between early or mild changes and a progressive clinical course. These changes in dynamic lung images on MRI can be recorded depending on the phase of the respiratory cycle. Thus, MRI, as a radiation-free tool that can be used to examine a patient with acute viral pneumonia COVID-19, can be useful in cases where access to computed tomography is limited and dynamic morphofunctional imaging is required.