The Pattern of COVID-19-related Pneumonitis on High-Resolution Computed Tomography Chest in Post-Vaccination Patients

Abstract

Objective: To find the changing radiological pattern of COVID-19 on HRCT chest in vaccinated patients.
 Study Design: Observational, cross-sectional study.
 Place and Duration of Study: Combined Military Hospital, Sialkot Pakistan, from Jan to Feb 2022.
 Methodology: All patients referred for High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest were included. All participants underwent HRCT chest after recording the demographic data. Computed tomography (CT) images were reviewed by an experienced radiologist for pulmonary involvement and determining the computed tomography severity score, which ranged from 0-40 points.
 Results: A total of 90 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 35.8±13.2 years. The number of partially vaccinated, fully vaccinated patients, and those with booster doses were 10(11.1%), 62(68.9%) and 18(20%), respectively. Patients with normal or non-specific findings on HRCT were 74(82.2%), and those with findings suggestive of COVID-19 pneumonitis were 16 (17.8%). The mean CT severity score among positive cases was 4.69±8.01, while the most frequent pulmonary finding was ground glass opacities found in 11(68.8%) cases.
 Conclusion: Vaccination reduces the frequency and severity of pulmonary involvement in cases with breakthrough COVID-19 though the presentation of the disease and pattern of the pulmonary involvement does not show much change.