Findings in chest radiographs of patients admitted with novel coronavirus infection at a tertiary care institution in India: A retrospective study

Abstract

Aim: In the ever-changing understanding of the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic, this study aims to present the spectrum of findings in chest radiographs conducted in serologically proven symptomatic patients of COVID 19 in a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai, India. Methods: The study was a retrospective analysis of 449 chest radiographs(CXRs) obtained from serologically proven symptomatic 312 COVID patients in a tertiary care institute at Mumbai, India. CXRs were conducted as per a hospital approved protocol. The x-rays were analysed by three radiologists for presence of consolidation, ground glass opacities, interstitial opacities and distribution of findings. Results: Out of the total CXRs reviewed, 50.7% were abnormal with 91.7% of them showing the commonest pattern of finding as consolidation. The majority of findings were seen (71.1%) in patients above 50 yrs of age. 84 cases (26.9%) had a serial radiograph follow up mandated by their clinical status. Of these, 75% were abnormal. There were 46 fatal cases, out of which 22 patients (47.82%) underwent CXRs and 10 (21.73%) were followed up. All of these radiographs (100%) showed abnormal findings. Conclusions: Chest radiographs conducted in this retrospective analysis of patients with symptomatic COVID-19 infections showed that a little more than half of the patients with the infection had abnormal findings. The commonest pattern of involvement was a patchy peripheral consolidation with no predilection for any particular side. However, there was a significant basal predominance (85.5%). The progression of findings was seen in 75% of the CXRs with good correlation between clinical & radiological severity. The study shows that CXRs have an important diagnostic and prognostic role in the management of patients with the COVID-19 infection.