Novel COVID-19 Pneumonia: CT Manifestations and Pattern of Evolution.

Abstract

Background This study aims to provide a better knowledge of COVID-19 that will aid in the formulation of future health policy by detailing the pathophysiology, case detection, and treatment, as well as management and prevention activities. Methodology A cross-sectional, prospective study was conducted at the Department of Radio-Diagnosis and Imaging, Shri B.M. Patil Medical College, Vijayapura. A total of 90 patients who presented with clinical features of COVID-19 and patients above the age of 18 years suspected of COVID-19 who were referred to the Department of Radio-Diagnosis and Imaging were included in the study. Results The classical findings which are observed on CT imaging in patients with COVID-19 include the presence of ground-glass opacities which are bilateral in distribution predominantly affecting the lower lobes with a posterior predilection. Overall, more than 33% of the patients who recovered from severe COVID-19 had lung abnormalities resembling fibrosis on follow-up imaging performed within two weeks of the commencement of the disease. These individuals were older and had more severe sicknesses during the acute period. Conclusions Chest CT can detect COVID-19 progression or secondary cardiopulmonary problems such as acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary embolism, superimposed pneumonia, or heart failure. Future research into the prognostic value of chest CT in COVID-19 is required.