Chest CT in COVID-19 pneumonia: what are the findings in mid-term follow-up?

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study are to investigate mid-term chest computed tomography (CT) findings of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia, assess the rate of complete resolution, and determine the individuals at risk for residual abnormalities. METHODS: Fifty-two cases of COVID-19 pneumonia with at least two chest CTs and mean 3-month interval between the initial and follow-up CT were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were categorized into two groups: complete resolution and residual disease on follow-up CT. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic data as well as initial and follow-up chest CT scans were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty patients (57.7%) demonstrate complete resolution of pulmonary findings, and 22 patients (42.3%) had residual disease on follow-up CT. The mean time interval between initial and follow-up CT was 91.3 ± 17.2 and 90.6 ± 14.3 days in the complete resolution and residual groups, respectively. The most common radiologic pattern in residual disease was ground-glass opacities (54.5%), followed by mixed ground-glass and subpleural parenchymal bands (31.8%), and pure parenchymal bands (13.7%). Compared to complete resolution group, patients with residual disease had higher CT severity score on initial exam (10.3 ± 5.4 vs. 7.3 ± 4.6, P value = 0.036), longer duration of hospitalization, higher rate of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, more underlying medical conditions, higher initial WBC count, and higher occurrence rate of leukocytosis in the hospitalization time period (all P values < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Extensive lung involvement on initial CT, ICU admission, long duration of hospitalization, presence of underlying medical conditions, high initial WBC count, and development of leukocytosis during the course of disease are associated with more prevalence of chronic lung sequela of COVID-19.

Predictive value of CT in the short-term mortality of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia in nonelderly patients: A case-control study.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Identifying CT predictors of mortality in nonelderly healthy patients with COVID-19 pneumonia will aid to distinguish the most vulnerable patients in this age group and thus alter the management. We aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of multiple CT features of COVID-19 pneumonia on initial presentation in nonelderly patients without underlying medical conditions. METHODS: In this retrospective case-control study, thirty laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients with no known major underlying disease who underwent a chest CT scan and expired of pneumonia within the following 30 days after admission, were included as case group. Sixty control subjects individually matched on their age, gender, without underlying medical conditions, who received same-criteria standard care and were discharged from the hospital in 30-day follow-up were included in the control group. A conditional logistic regression model was applied. RESULTS: Applying a univariate conditional logistic regression model, it was revealed that bilateral lung disease, anterior involvement, central extension, GGO, consolidation, air bronchograms, pleural effusion, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m² and CT severity score were the significant preliminary predictors (all p-values < 0.05). Next, by applying a multivariate conditional logistic regression model, it was determined that the CT severity score is the only statistically significant CT predictor of mortality (Odds Ratio = 1.99, Confidence Interval: 1.01-4.06, p-value < 0.05). The ROC curve analysis revealed a score of 7.5 as the cut-off point of CT severity score with the highest sensitivity (0.83) and specificity (0.87). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that CT severity score is a reliable predictor factor of mortality in nonelderly previously healthy individuals with COVID-19 pneumonia. Assessment of disease extension in addition to the morphological pattern is necessary for CT reports of COVID-19 patients. This may alert the clinicians to alter the management for this specific group of patients, even when they are clinically silent or have a mild presentation.

CT Features and Short-term Prognosis of COVID-19 Pneumonia: A Single-Center Study from Kashan, Iran.

PURPOSE: To assess whether certain CT chest features of patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may have short-term prognostic value. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred-twenty consecutive symptomatic patients with COVID-19 infection who had undergone chest CT were enrolled in this retrospective study. Patients were categorized into three groups: routine inward hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and deceased based on a short-term follow-up. Detailed initial CT features and distributional evaluation were recorded. RESULTS: The mean age in the deceased group was 70.7 years, significantly higher than the other two groups (P < .05). Ninety-four percent (113/120) of the patients had ground-glass opacities (GGO). Peripheral and lower zone predilection was present in most patients. Subpleural sparing and pleural effusion were seen in approximately 23% (28/120) and 17% (20/120) of the patients, respectively. The combined intensive care unit group and deceased patients had significantly more consolidation, air bronchograms, crazy paving, and central involvement of the lungs compared with routinely hospitalized patients (all P < .05). CONCLUSION: This study supports the previously described typical CT appearance of COVID-19 pneumonia with bilateral GGO, in peripheral distribution and lower lung zone predilection. Subpleural sparing and pleural effusion were seen approximately in one-fifth and one-sixth of the patients with COVID-19, respectively. Consolidation, air bronchograms, central lung involvement, crazy paving and pleural effusion on initial CT chest have potential prognostic values, the features more commonly observed in critically ill patients.© RSNA, 2020.

Complete supine PCNL: ultrasound vs. fluoroscopic guided: a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: To compare complications and outcomes of complete supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (csPCNL) with ultrasound guided and fluoroscopically guided procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial study from January 2009 to September 2010, 26 of 51 patients with renal stones underwent csPCNL with ultrasonographic guidance in all steps of the procedure (group A), and the other 25 patients underwent standard fluoroscopically guided csPCNL (group B). All of the patients underwent PCNL in the complete supine position. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS16 software. RESULTS: Mean BMI was 28.14 in group A and 26.31 in group B (p=0.30). The mean stone burden was 26.48 and 30.44 in groups A and B, respectively (p=0.20). The stone free rate was 88.5% in group A and 75.5% in group B, that was no significant (p=0.16). Overall 2 patients (7.7%) in group A and 6 patients (24%) in group B had complications (p=0.11). Mean operative time in group A was 88.46 minutes, and in group B it was 79.58 minutes (p=0.39). Mean hospital stay was 69.70 and 61.79 hours in group A and B, respectively (p=0.22). There was no visceral injury in groups. CONCLUSIONS: This randomized study showed that totally ultrasonic had the same outcomes of fluoroscopically csPCNL. Ultrasonography can be an alternative rather than fluoroscopy in PCNL. We believe that more randomized studies are needed to allow endourologists to use sonography rather than fluoroscopy in order to avoid exposition to radiation.

Complete supine PCNL: ultrasound vs. fluoroscopic guided: a randomized clinical trial

ABSTRACT Introduction and Hypothesis: To compare complications and outcomes of complete supine percutaneous nephrolithotomy (csPCNL) with ultrasound guided and fluoroscopically guided procedure. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial study from January 2009 to September 2010, 26 of 51 patients with renal stones underwent csPCNL with ultrasonographic guidance in all steps of the procedure (group A), and the other 25 patients underwent standard fluoroscopically guided csPCNL (group B). All of the patients underwent PCNL in the complete supine position. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS16 software. Results: Mean BMI was 28.14 in group A and 26.31 in group B (p=0.30). The mean stone burden was 26.48 and 30.44 in groups A and B, respectively (p=0.20). The stone free rate was 88.5% in group A and 75.5% in group B, that was no significant (p=0.16). Overall 2 patients (7.7%) in group A and 6 patients (24%) in group B had complications (p=0.11). Mean operative time in group A was 88.46 minutes, and in group B it was 79.58 minutes (p=0.39). Mean hospital stay was 69.70 and 61.79 hours in group A and B, respectively (p=0.22). There was no visceral injury in groups. Conclusions: This randomized study showed that totally ultrasonic had the same outcomes of fluoroscopically csPCNL. Ultrasonography can be an alternative rather than fluoroscopy in PCNL. We believe that more randomized studies are needed to allow endourologists to use sonography rather than fluoroscopy in order to avoid exposition to radiation.