CT Scans Obtained for Nonpulmonary Indications: Associated Respiratory Findings of COVID-19
Author
Hossain, R.Lazarus, M.S.
Roudenko, A.
Dako, F.
Mehta, V.
Alis, J.
Zalta, B.
Lei, B.
Haramati, L.B.
White, C.S.
Date
2020Journal
RadiologyPublisher
Radiological Society of North AmericaType
Article
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background: Atypical manifestations of COVID-19 are being encountered as the pandemic unfolds, leading to non-chest CT scans that may uncover unsuspected pulmonary disease. Purpose: To investigate patients with primary non-respiratory symptoms who underwent abdomen/pelvis or cervical spine/neck CT with unsuspected findings highly suspicious for pulmonary COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study from March 10, 2020 to April 6, 2020 involved three institutions, two in a region considered a hotspot (area of high prevalence) for COVID-19. Patients without known COVID-19 were included who presented to the emergency room (ER) with primary non-respiratory [gastrointestinal (GI) or neurological] symptoms, had lung parenchymal findings suspicious for COVID-19 on a non-chest CT but no concurrent chest CT and had COVID-19 testing in the ER. Group 1 patients had RT PCR obtained pre-CT read (COVID-19 suspected on presentation); Group 2 had RT PCR obtained post-CT read (COVID-19 not suspected). Presentation and imaging findings were compared and outcomes were evaluated. Descriptive statistics and Fisher exact tests were used for analysis. Results: Group 1 comprised 62 patients [31 men, 31 women, mean age 67(SD ±17) years] and group 2 comprised 57 patients [28 men, 29 women, mean age 63(SD ± 16) years). Cough and fever were more common in group 1 (37/62, 60%, 29/62, 47%) than group 2 (9/57, 16%, 12/57, 21%) respectively, with no significant difference in the remaining symptoms. There were 101 abdomen/pelvis and 18 cervical spine/neck CTs. In Group 1, non-chest CT findings provided the initial evidence of COVID-19 related pneumonia in 32/62 (52%); for Group 2, it was 44/57 (77%). Overall, the most common CT findings were ground glass opacity (114/119, 96%) and consolidation (47/119,40%). 29/119 (24%) patients required major interventions (vasopressor medication or intubation) and 27/119 (23%) died. Patients who underwent cervical spine/neck CT had worse outcomes than those with abdominal/pelvic CT (p =0.01). Conclusion: In a substantial percentage of patients with primary non-respiratory symptoms who underwent non-chest CT, the CT provided the first evidence of COVID-19 related pneumonia.Keyword
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)non-respiratory symptoms
cervical spine/neck CT
abdomen/pelvis CT
COVID-19 (Disease)
Lung Diseases
Identifier to cite or link to this item
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85084616448&doi=10.1148%2fradiol.2020201743&partnerID=40&md5=935e43fa7a52c037348c38f295a67703; http://hdl.handle.net/10713/12829ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1148/radiol.2020201743
Scopus Count
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