胸部低剂量CT在新型冠状病毒疾病患者出院后复查的应用价值

目的 探讨胸部低剂量CT在新型冠状病毒疾病（COVID-19）患者好转出院后复查应用价值。方法 回顾性分析2020年3月17日至3月25日经武汉大学人民医院治疗出院后的58例COVID-19患者胸部低剂量CT表现,由两名影像医师独立评价CT图像质量,采用5分法进行评分。并计算信噪比（SNR）、背景噪声（SD_air）及辐射剂量。结果 出院前常规剂量组和出院后复查低剂量组图像主观评分观察者1和观察者2分别为4.45±0.22、3.88±0.33（P>0.05）和4.37±0.18、3.91±0.35（P>0.05）;低剂量组的SNR与SD_air分别为4.39±0.95和7.19±2.41,显著低于常规组的5.14±1.06（Z=-5.551,P<0.001）和6.48±1.57（Z=-3.217,P<0.001）,图像质量均能满足临床诊断。低剂量组的CT容积剂量指数（CTDI_vol）、剂量长度乘积（DLP）及有效剂量（E）分别为（2.41±0.09） mGy、（88.03±5.33） mGy·cm和（1.23±0.17） mSv,均显著低于常规组［（10.53±1.03） mGy,（338.74±34.64） mGy·cm,（4.74±0.48） mSv,Z=-6.568、-6.624、-5.976,P<0.001）。结论 COVID-19患者出院后可采用胸部低剂量CT复查。     

Comments on "Review of the role of diagnostic modalities and imaging findings in the COVID-19 pandemic"

The present letter to the editor corresponds to the article entitled “Comprehensive literature review on the radiographic findings, imaging modalities, and the role of radiology in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic” by Pal et al, published in World J Radiol. 2021; 13(9): 258-282. With zero to unknown prevalence, COVID-19 has created a heterogeneous and unforeseen situation across the world. Healthcare providers encountered new challenges in image interpretation, characterization, and prognostication of the disease. Pal et al delineated the radiological findings, which would guide the radiologists to identify the early signs of severe infection.     

低剂量放疗在新型冠状病毒肺炎治疗中的应用

新型冠状病毒全球大流行,危重症新型冠状病毒肺炎患者合并细胞因子风暴成为临床亟待解决的难题.低剂量放疗曾短暂用于肺炎的治疗.过去数十年,研究者一直致力于阐明低剂量放疗的生物学机制.低剂量放疗具有炎症抑制作用,已在危重症新型冠状病毒肺炎中取得了初步的效果,受到了学术界和放疗界的重点关注.本文回顾了低剂量放疗在肺炎中的应用,...     

Review of radiographic findings in COVID-19

The purpose of this study is to review the published literature for the range of radiographic findings present in patients suffering from coronavirus disease 2019 infection. This novel corona virus is currently the cause of a worldwide pandemic. Pulmonary symptoms and signs dominate the clinical picture and radiologists are called upon to evaluate chest radiographs (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) images to assess for infiltrates and to define their extent, distribution and progression. Multiple studies attempt to characterize the disease course by looking at the timing of imaging relative to the onset of symptoms. In general, plain CXR show bilateral disease with a tendency toward the lung periphery and have an appearance most consistent with viral pneumonia. Chest CT images are most notable for showing bilateral and peripheral ground glass and consolidated opacities and are marked by an absence of concomitant pulmonary nodules, cavitation, adenopathy and pleural effusions. Published literature mentioning organ systems aside from pulmonary manifestations are relatively less common, yet present and are addressed in this review. Similarly, publications focusing on imaging modalities aside from CXR and chest CT are sparse in this evolving crisis and are likewise addressed in this review. The role of imaging is examined as it is currently being debated in the medical community, which is not at all surprising considering the highly infectious nature of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2.     

Abdominal imaging in COVID-19

Initially thought of as a respiratory infection, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is now recognized as a complex disease with a wide clinical spectrum, including digestive involvement. While several studies have evaluated chest imaging findings in COVID-19, few papers have looked at the abdominal imaging features of these patients. Liver, biliary, pancreas and bowel involvement have been reported in COVID-19 infected patients. In this review, we aim to summarize currently available data related to abdominal imaging techniques in COVID-19, in accordance with relevant clinical and laboratory workup of these patients. Underlying mechanisms, indications and imaging findings related to COVID-19 are discussed based on published data. Also, practice points for clinicians are highlighted in order to adequately recognize digestive-related injuries of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. While there’s been a steady accumulation of data with respect to abdominal imaging findings in COVID-19, currently available recommendations are based on limited research. There is a wide spectrum of abdominal imaging findings in COVID-19, which includes hepato-biliary, pancreatic and luminal pathology.     

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum,pneumothorax and subcutaneous emphysema: Radiological aspects of rare COVID-19 complications in 3 patients

Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (SPM), pneumothorax (PNX) and subcutaneous emphysema are rare complications of COVID-19 pneumonia. In this paper we describe 3 cases of COVID-19 pneumonia complicated by SPM with or without PNX. Patient 1 was a 56-year-old woman whose medical history was significant for chronic leukemia. She presented with typical clinical signs of COVID-19 pneumonia and after 2 weeks of hospitalization she developed SPM and subcutaneous emphysema. The management of pneumomediastinum (PNM) was conservative and follow-up computed tomography showed resolution of PNM. Patient 2 was a 67-year-old man presenting with fever, cough and dyspnea. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography was performed after 2 weeks of hospitalization and showed bilateral peripheral consolidations together with massive PNM and right-sided PNX. Thoracic drainage catheter was inserted in his right chest. Despite all supportive care, the patient succumbed to illness. Patient 3 was a 74-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital with COVID-19 pneumonia and spontaneous right-sided PNX. A thoracic drainage catheter was inserted immediately and then removed after ten days which has led to progression of subcutaneous emphysema, PNX and newly diagnosed PNM. Patient was carefully monitored for the next 2 weeks. Follow-up chest x-ray showed regression of PNM and PNX. SPM, PNX and subcutaneous emphysema are rare complications of COVID-19 pneumonia. Increased alveolar pressure and diffuse alveolar injury in severe COVID-19 pneumonia may make the alveoli more prone to rupturing which leads to gas dissemination along the peribronchovascular sheath to the mediastinum. Most cases of SPM and PNX resolve with conservative management.     

Current status quo on COVID-19 including chest imaging

With each day the number coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases continue to rise rapidly and our imaging knowledge of this disease is expeditiously evolving. The role of chest computed tomography (CT) in the screening or diagnosis of COVID-19 remains the subject of much debate. Despite several months having passed since identifying the disease, and numerous studies related to it, controversy and concern still exists regarding the widespread use of chest CT in the evaluation and management of COVID-19 suspect patients. Several institutes and organizations around the world have released guidelines, recommendations and statements against the use of CT for diagnosing or screening COVID-19 infection and advocating its use only for those cases with a strong clinical suspicion of complication or an alternate diagnosis. However, these guidelines and recommendations are in disagreement with majority of the widely available literature, which strongly favour CT as a pivotal tool in the early diagnosis, management and even follow-up of COVID-19 infection. This article besides comprehensively reviewing the current status quo on COVID-19 disease in general, also writes upon the current consensus statements/recommendations on the use of diagnostic imaging in COVID-19 as well as highlighting the precautions and various disinfection procedures being employed world-wide at the workplace to prevent the spread of infection.     

Neuroimaging Findings in Patients with COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ObjectiveCentral nervous system involvement in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been increasingly reported. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the incidence of radiologically demonstrated neurologic complications and detailed neuroimaging findings associated with COVID-19.Materials and MethodsA systematic literature search of MEDLINE/PubMed and EMBASE databases was performed up to September 17, 2020, and studies evaluating neuroimaging findings of COVID-19 using brain CT or MRI were included. Several cohort-based outcomes, including the proportion of patients with abnormal neuroimaging findings related to COVID-19 were evaluated. The proportion of patients showing specific neuroimaging findings was also assessed. Subgroup analyses were also conducted focusing on critically ill COVID-19 patients and results from studies that used MRI as the only imaging modality.ResultsA total of 1394 COVID-19 patients who underwent neuroimaging from 17 studies were included; among them, 3.4% of the patients demonstrated COVID-19-related neuroimaging findings. Olfactory bulb abnormalities were the most commonly observed (23.1%). The predominant cerebral neuroimaging finding was white matter abnormality (17.6%), followed by acute/subacute ischemic infarction (16.0%), and encephalopathy (13.0%). Significantly more critically ill patients had COVID-19-related neuroimaging findings than other patients (9.1% vs. 1.6%; p = 0.029). The type of imaging modality used did not significantly affect the proportion of COVID-19-related neuroimaging findings.ConclusionAbnormal neuroimaging findings were occasionally observed in COVID-19 patients. Olfactory bulb abnormalities were the most commonly observed finding. Critically ill patients showed abnormal neuroimaging findings more frequently than the other patient groups. White matter abnormalities, ischemic infarctions, and encephalopathies were the common cerebral neuroimaging findings.     

Imaging in the COVID-19 era: Lessons learned during a pandemic

The first year of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been a year of unprecedented changes, scientific breakthroughs, and controversies. The radiology community has not been spared from the challenges imposed on global healthcare systems. Radiology has played a crucial part in tackling this pandemic, either by demonstrating the manifestations of the virus and guiding patient management, or by safely handling the patients and mitigating transmission within the hospital. Major modifications involving all aspects of daily radiology practice have occurred as a result of the pandemic, including workflow alterations, volume reductions, and strict infection control strategies. Despite the ongoing challenges, considerable knowledge has been gained that will guide future innovations. The aim of this review is to provide the latest evidence on the role of imaging in the diagnosis of the multifaceted manifestations of COVID-19, and to discuss the implications of the pandemic on radiology departments globally, including infection control strategies and delays in cancer screening. Lastly, the promising contribution of artificial intelligence in the COVID-19 pandemic is explored.     

COVID-19: A case series to support radiographer preliminary clinical evaluation

The case series provides radiographers with essential information to preliminarily evaluate chest imaging and prompt the rapid diagnosis of COVID-19.

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Rare case of contralateral supraclavicular lymphadenopathy after COVID-19 vaccination: Computed tomography and ultrasonography findings

We present the computed tomography, ultrasonographic findings of a case of contralateral supraclavicular lymphadenopathy that occurred after AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccination. Contralateral supraclavicular lymphadenopathy is very rare, but may be expected as an adverse reaction after COVID-19 vaccination. Radiologists as well as referring clinicians should be aware of this self-limiting process and its imaging features.     

A case series of chest imaging manifestation of COVID-19

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).¹ It started in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, after which quickly spread to many other countries around the world. Chest radiography (CXR) and computed tomography (CT) play key roles in managment and diagnosis of COVID-19. In this case series we are presenting three patients with predominant left-sided changes caused by COVID-19 infection.     

Ovarian vein thrombosis as a first manifestation of COVID-19 infection

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is associated with high risk of venous thromboembolic events mainly pulmonary embolism or deep venous thrombosis of the lower limbs. Ovarian vein thrombosis is a rare and serious condition usually seen in the immediate postpartum period and other conditions including pelvic inflammatory diseases, gynecological malignancies, hypercoagulable states, and few cases to date have reported ovarian vein thrombosis as a complication of COVID-19 infection. Patient with ovarian vein thrombosis usually presents with fever and lower abdominal pain that can mimic acute surgical abdomen and high index of suspicion is required for diagnosis. We report a case of a 41-year-old Asian female presented to our hospital with fever and acute lower abdominal pain. Laboratory findings show positive COVID-19 test and high D-dimer. Patient underwent computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis and a confirmed diagnosis of right ovarian vein thrombosis was made. Patient was treated with anticoagulation and empirical antibiotics and her symptoms have significantly improved.     

高原地区首例新型冠状病毒肺炎CT诊断分析并文献复习

目的 回顾性分析高原地区首例新型冠状病毒肺炎的CT影像特征及临床表现,以提高对该病的认识.方法 回顾性分析高原地区1例确诊新型冠状病毒患者的CT影像及临床资料并进行文献复习.结果 患者患病过程中早期、进展期及转归期的CT表现较为典型,与内地文献报道无明显差异,但诊断时应与高原性病种相互鉴别.结论 新型冠状病毒肺炎的诊断...     

Diagnostic accuracy of thoracic imaging modalities for the detection of COVID-19

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic continues to present diagnostic challenges. The use of thoracic radiography has been studied as a method to improve the diagnostic accuracy of COVID-19. The ‘Living’ Cochrane Systematic Review on the diagnostic accuracy of imaging tests for COVID-19 is continuously updated as new information becomes available for study. In the most recent version, published in March 2021, a meta-analysis was done to determine the pooled sensitivity and specificity of chest X-ray (CXR) and lung ultrasound (LUS) for the diagnosis of COVID-19. CXR gave a sensitivity of 80.6% (95%CI: 69.1-88.6) and a specificity of 71.5% (95%CI: 59.8-80.8). LUS gave a sensitivity rate of 86.4% (95%CI: 72.7-93.9) and specificity of 54.6% (95%CI: 35.3-72.6). These results differed from the findings reported in the recent article in this journal where they cited the previous versions of the study in which a meta-analysis for CXR and LUS could not be performed. Additionally, the article states that COVID-19 could not be distinguished, using chest computed tomography (CT), from other respiratory diseases. However, the latest review version identifies chest CT as having a specificity of 80.0% (95%CI: 74.9-84.3), which is much higher than the previous version which indicated a specificity of 61.1% (95%CI: 42.3-77.1). Therefore, CXR, chest CT and LUS have the potential to be used in conjunction with other methods in the diagnosis of COVID-19.     

Diagnóstico radiológico del paciente con COVID-19

The pandemia caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has triggered an unprecedented health and economic crisis. Although the diagnosis of infection with SARS-CoV-2 is microbiological, imaging techniques play an important role in supporting the diagnosis, grading the severity of disease, guiding treatment, detecting complications, and evaluating the response to treatment. The lungs are the main organ involved, and chest X-rays, whether obtained in conventional X-ray suites or with portable units, are the first-line imaging test because they are widely available and economical. Chest CT is more sensitive than plain chest X-rays, and CT studies make it possible to identify complications in addition to pulmonary involvement, as well as to suggestive alternative diagnoses. The most common radiologic findings in COVID-19 are airspace opacities (consolidations and/or ground-glass opacities), which are typically bilateral, peripheral, and located primarily in the lower fields.     

Thoracic imaging outcomes in COVID-19 survivors

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents a significant global public health challenge. One in five individuals with COVID-19 presents with symptoms that last for weeks after hospital discharge, a condition termed “long COVID”. Thus, efficient follow-up of patients is needed to assess the resolution of lung pathologies and systemic involvement. Thoracic imaging is multimodal and involves using different forms of waves to produce images of the organs within the thorax. In general, it includes chest X-ray, computed tomography, lung ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging techniques. Such modalities have been useful in the diagnosis and prognosis of COVID-19. These tools have also allowed for the follow-up and assessment of long COVID. This review provides insights on the effectiveness of thoracic imaging techniques in the follow-up of COVID-19 survivors who had long COVID.     

Manifestaciones extratorácicas de la COVID-19 en adultos y presentación de la enfermedad en niños

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global pandemic of COVID-19, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); epidemic conditions continue in nearly all countries today. Although the symptoms and imaging manifestations of COVID-19 predominantly involve the respiratory system, it is fundamental to know the manifestations of the disease and its possible complications in other organs to help in diagnosis and orient the prognosis. To improve the diagnostic process without increasing the risk of contagion unnecessarily, it is crucial to know when extrathoracic imaging tests are indicated and which tests are best in each situation. This paper aims to provide answers to these questions. To this end, we describe and illustrate the extrathoracic imaging manifestations of COVID-19 in adults as well as the entire spectrum of imaging findings in children.