Hyperdense pulmonary artery sign - detection of pulmonary embolism in patients with suspected COVID-19 using non-contrast chest CT.

ABSTRACT

The request for CT (computed tomography) diagnostic in patients with suspected COVID-19 pneumonia has become part of the daily clinical routine. We reported a case of a 61-year-old patient with flu-like symptoms and a suspected COVID-19 pneumonia. After a negative PCR-test (polymerase chain reaction), a non-contrast enhanced CT was performed which revealed a suspicious hyperdensity in the left pulmonary artery and a pneumonia in the left lower lobe. A contrast enhanced CT confirmed a pulmonary embolism. An acute pulmonary embolism is a major complication and a main differential diagnosis of COVID-19. A hyperdense pulmonary artery sign (PAS) is a sensitive sign for a pulmonary embolism. Non-enhanced chest CT scans should be checked for hyperdense PAS in suspected of COVID-19 patients.