Quantified CT Evaluation in coronavirus disease (COVID-19): A study of 30 Patients in Chongqing, China (preprint)

ABSTRACT

Background Chest computed tomography (CT) provides insight into the progression and prognosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. Purpose To quantify the chest CT scans of patients with CODIV-19 pneumonia using the pulmonary inflammation index (PII)and associate it with the severity of pneumonia. Methods A total of thirty inpatients admitted between January 30 and February 29, 2020 with confirmed COVID-19 infection were enrolled in this retrospective review. Patients were classified as “severe”(those who met the severe pneumonia criteria) or “mild”. Chest CT scans and clinical statistics data were obtained at four milestones (the date of admission, 3 days after treatment, 1 week after treatment and the time the last CT scan was obtained before discharge orthe completionof our research). Results Thirty patients (18 males and 12 females, age 20–74 years) with confirmed COVID-19pneumonia were evaluated. Increased neutrophilswere noted in 11 (36.7%) patients and decreased in 3 (10%) patients. Elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) in 22 (73.3%) patients and erythrocyte sedimentation rate in 27 (90%) patient were observed, but elevation of procalcitonin was not obvious. Seven (53.8%) patients had elevation of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH).The presentation of CT opacities was mainly in the form of distribution in both the severe andmild groups. The mean PII score in the severe group was 58% and 13.7% in the mild group. The score in the severe group was more than 50%and less than 20%in the mild group at every milestone. The score in the severe group was always higher than the mild group, therefore, the severity of the disease may be positively correlated with PII score. Conclusion The pulmonary inflammation index (PII) score of chest CT scans correlated with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) progression and could be used to indicate severity in patients.