Distribution of Chest Computed Tomography Findings in 202 Saudi Patients with COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Computed tomography (CT) is one radiographic imaging modality that plays an essential role in detecting, characterizing, and assessing the complications of COVID-19. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of chest CT findings (typical and associated) in 202 Saudi patients with COVID-19. Methods and Results: Medical records of 202 patients diagnosed in Ohod and Al-Madinah National Hospitals (Al-Madinah Al-Monwarahwith) with positive COVID-19 infection from February 1 to March 1, 2021, were analyzed in this retrospective study. A verbal ethical agreement was obtained from the radiology department in these hospitals. Patients' demographic data and chest CT findings were evaluated. The majority of the sample was male 128(63.4%), and the largest age group was 50–64 years (41.1%). The typical chest CT findings for COVID-19 pneumonia (ground-glass opacification) were bilateral in peripheral lung fields (91.58%), subpleural zones (1.98%), and central zones (0.59%). Among COVID-19-associated findings, septal thickening was found in 4(2.0%) cases, air bronchogram in 13(6.4%) cases, lung fibrosis in 3(1.5%) cases, the atelectatic in 5(2.5%) cases, pleural effusion in 15(7.4%) cases, and pulmonary embolism in 1(0.5%) case. There was no significant difference in the COVID-19-associated findings among different age groups and genders. Conclusion: Pleural effusion and air bronchogram were the most common findings associated with ground-glass opacification in unenhanced chest CT.

Keywords

• covid-19
• ground-glass opacification
• plural effusion
• computed tomography