Comparison of chest radiological findings between coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia and anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody- positive interstitial pneumonia by artificial intelligence-based quantitative computed tomography image analysis (preprint)

Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia and anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 antibody-positive interstitial pneumonia (MDA5-IP) share many similarities; however, the treatment and management of the two diseases are different. In the early stages of developing a treatment plan, it is crucial to distinguish between the two diseases. This study was conducted to compare the radiological findings between COVID-19 pneumonia and MDA5-IP.Methods We recruited patients with COVID-19 pneumonia between January and June 2020. The control group comprised patients with MDA5-IP admitted between April 2013 and December 2019. Patients with thin-slice computed tomography (CT) images within 2 days of admission were enrolled. The CT images were analyzed using an artificial intelligence-based quantitative CT software program. Radiological findings were classified as faint ground-glass opacity (GGO), GGO, reticulation, consolidation, honeycombing, nodules, hyperlucency, or interlobular septum. The volumes of these radiological findings were compared between the two groups. A classification and regression tree algorithm was used to develop a prediction model to stratify the risk of COVID-19 pneumonia.Results We enrolled 72 and 15 patients in the COVID-19 pneumonia and MDA5-IP group, respectively. Faint GGO and consolidations were observed more extensively in patients with MDA5-IP. The prediction model was developed at cut-off values of faint GGO, < 30%; GGO, ≥ 10%, and consolidation < 1%. This prediction model contributed to changing post-test probability in 26% of cases.Conclusion The COVID-19 group showed fewer faint GGO and consolidation volumes than the MDA5-IP group. We developed a predictive model to stratify the risk of COVID-19 pneumonia.

Successful treatment of COVID-19-related acute respiratory distress syndrome with rare blood type: A case report (preprint)

A 62-year-old man with rare blood type exhibited severe respiratory failure due to novel coronavirus. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was inapplicable, which requires numerous blood products with the same blood type. We thoroughly restricted fluid volumes by sacrificing renal function. He was discharged with complete recovery of respiratory and renal functions.