2020 | Ming-Yen Ng, Elaine Y. P. Lee, Jin Yang, Fangfang Yang, Xia Li, Hongxia Wang, Macy Mei-sze Lui, Christine Shing-Yen Lo, Barry Leung, Pek-Lan Khong, Christopher Kim-Ming Hui, Kwok-yung Yuen, Michael D. Kuo, MD
This study presents the imaging findings of 21 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, China, and reviews the literature on radiologic features of the disease. The primary imaging findings were ground-glass opacities, with occasional consolidation, predominantly in the peripheral regions of the lungs. These findings were observed on chest CT scans, while chest radiographs were less sensitive in detecting these changes. The study also found that ground-glass opacities were most frequently seen in the left lower lobe, followed by the right lower and left upper lobes. Consolidation was less common and typically occurred in the lower zones. The study also identified one asymptomatic patient with consolidation on CT. The literature review confirmed that bilateral and peripheral ground-glass opacities with or without consolidation are the most common findings on CT scans. The study highlights the importance of CT in detecting early and subtle changes in the lungs that may not be visible on chest radiographs. The findings are consistent with previous studies and suggest that chest radiography may lack sensitivity in identifying some manifestations of the disease. The study also notes that while the disease profile of COVID-19 is dynamic, there are still many open questions, and further research is needed to determine the role of CT in guiding therapy. The study concludes that the radiologic profile of COVID-19 is predominantly characterized by ground-glass opacities with occasional consolidation on CT. The findings are in line with previous publications from other sites. The study also notes that the imaging findings of COVID-19 are similar to those of SARS, with both diseases showing predominantly ground-glass opacities. The progression of lung changes on CT imaging is also similar to SARS, with the ground-glass and consolidation getting worse or better over several days. The study acknowledges its limitations, including a small sample size and short follow-up interval, which preclude a deep analysis of potential prognostic imaging variables. Despite these limitations, the study contributes to the growing body of knowledge about the disease.This study presents the imaging findings of 21 patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, China, and reviews the literature on radiologic features of the disease. The primary imaging findings were ground-glass opacities, with occasional consolidation, predominantly in the peripheral regions of the lungs. These findings were observed on chest CT scans, while chest radiographs were less sensitive in detecting these changes. The study also found that ground-glass opacities were most frequently seen in the left lower lobe, followed by the right lower and left upper lobes. Consolidation was less common and typically occurred in the lower zones. The study also identified one asymptomatic patient with consolidation on CT. The literature review confirmed that bilateral and peripheral ground-glass opacities with or without consolidation are the most common findings on CT scans. The study highlights the importance of CT in detecting early and subtle changes in the lungs that may not be visible on chest radiographs. The findings are consistent with previous studies and suggest that chest radiography may lack sensitivity in identifying some manifestations of the disease. The study also notes that while the disease profile of COVID-19 is dynamic, there are still many open questions, and further research is needed to determine the role of CT in guiding therapy. The study concludes that the radiologic profile of COVID-19 is predominantly characterized by ground-glass opacities with occasional consolidation on CT. The findings are in line with previous publications from other sites. The study also notes that the imaging findings of COVID-19 are similar to those of SARS, with both diseases showing predominantly ground-glass opacities. The progression of lung changes on CT imaging is also similar to SARS, with the ground-glass and consolidation getting worse or better over several days. The study acknowledges its limitations, including a small sample size and short follow-up interval, which preclude a deep analysis of potential prognostic imaging variables. Despite these limitations, the study contributes to the growing body of knowledge about the disease.