Coronavirus Disease in the Abdomen

Numerous abdominal manifestations have been reported in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), including involvement of the luminal gastrointestinal (GI) tract, hepatobiliary system, pancreas, kidneys, spleen, and blood vessels. Although most of the associated radiological abnormalities are nonspecific without distinguishing imaging features to suggest COVID-19, unique presentations such as findings of bowel ischemia preceding gross findings of bowel necrosis have been reported. Awareness of the spectrum of abdominal manifestations of COVID-19 allows radiologists to optimize their search pattern and to raise the possibility of this etiology when appropriate. Awareness of the possible abdominal manifestations of COVID-19 should enhance detection by radiologists and improve patient care. This review provides a comprehensive overview with illustrative imaging examples of COVID-19 in the abdomen.