Follow-up study of clinical and chest CT scans in confirmed COVID-19 patients

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the CT imaging results of patients with COVID-19 who previously received several follow-up visits and to explain the changes in pulmonary inflammation. METHODS: Cases of 15 patients with COVID-19 were retrospectively analyzed: their epidemiology, clinical history, laboratory tests, and multiple CT chest scans obtained during the disease period were studied. RESULTS: The CT scans of the 15 patients showed different results. Four patients had no abnormal findings in their chest CT scans. The first scan of 1 patient revealed right lower lobe inflammation, while the lesion had been completely absorbed in follow-up. Two patients showed bilateral pulmonary inflammation in the first scan which had been absorbed by follow-up but the last examination showed extensive fibrosis. Two patients had no abnormalities in their first CT scans, while pulmonary inflammation was found in the second scan and this had not been completely absorbed by the last follow-up. One patient had pulmonary interstitial lesions with no evidence of National Cochlear Implant Programme (NCIP) on the first and second CT scans. NCIP was found at the third scan, and pulmonary inflammation was not completely absorbed at the last follow-up. Three patients were in the early stage of inflammation at the first scan, and the lesions were absorbed and repaired at the last follow-up. However, the lesions were not completely absorbed. One patient was in the advanced stage at the first scan, and the last follow-up pulmonary lesions were not completely absorbed. The first CT scan of 1 patient revealed large ground-glass opacity in the lungs involving the inner and middle bands. After follow-up, the disease progressed, and this condition was consistent with severe manifestations. CONCLUSION: The follow-up of chest CT can reflect the change process of NCIP and the treatment effect. The first CT scan of lung lesions has a certain predictive effect on the outcome and prognosis of patients.