Authors
D L Bhavendu
Department of Radiodiagnosis, Ananthapuri Hospitals, Thiruvananthapuram*
Abstract
Imaging Criteria: For imaging any two of the three following should be present
- Fever (without any apparent respiratory cause).
- Hypoxia (room air SpO2 < / =94%).
- Respiratory rate > / = 20.
Radiologic Findings (General): Radiographic and computed tomography (CT) imaging may be initially normal in COVID infection. The primary findings of COVID-19 on chest radiograph and CT are those of atypical pneumonia or organizing pneumonia.Plain Radiography: Chest radiography is the first-line imaging modality because of the ease of availability, portability and decontamination. Of patients with COVID-19 requiring hospitalization, 69% had an abnormal chest radiograph at the initial time of admission. Findings are most extensive in about 10-12 days after symptom onset.1,4Specific Findings: The distribution is most often bilateral, peripheral and lower zone predominant. Bilateral reticulo nodular opacities and ground-glass opacities are the most common findings. Consolidation was the most common finding on x-ray in 47% of patients, while ground-glass opacities were found in 33%. In contrast to parenchymal abnormalities, pleural effusion is rare (3%).1,4