Chest CT in covid-19 pneumonia's follow-up: A 30 patients case series

BACKGROUND: Lung abnormalities do not fully resolve in all Covid-19 survivors and may progress to fibrosis. Understanding post-COVID lung changes helps identify patients susceptible of post-COVID-19 sequelae. We analyzed scannographic residual lung abnormalities and the full resolution percentage on intermediate- and long-term follow-up (3 months or more). METHODS: Data from 30 RT-PCR positive COVID-19 patients undergoing at least one follow-up chest CT at Ibn Sina Hospital, with a minimal time interval of 3 months between the RT-PCR and the CT performance were gathered retrospectively. The following elements were analyzed: (1) lung opacities, (2) distribution, (3) dominant lung opacity, (4) Sub-pleural bands, (5) Interlobular septal thickening, (6) Vascular dilatation, (7) Bronchiectasis, (8) Honey combing, (9) Architectural distortion, (10) mosaic attenuation, and (11) Additional findings: Enlarged lymph nodes, Pleural and Pericardial fluid. To evaluate the degree of lung opacification, a score founded on visual evaluation of the lung involvement's percentage was employed. Patients were then subdivided into two categories: (1) no residual opacities and (2) remaining pulmonary opacities. OUTCOMES: 30 patients were enrolled. The age ranged between 40 and 87 years. CT was indicated for symptoms or functional impairment. The time range between the positive RT-PCR and Follow-up CT varied between 3 and 12 months. CT severity score ranged between o and 23. Residual lung opacities were present in 24 cases (80%). The dominant lung opacities were Ground glass (46.7%), and linear/curvilinear opacities (23.3%). Signs of fibrosis were present in 9 patients (30%). CONCLUSION: CT abnormalities following Covid-19 pneumonia's prevalence varies based on the extent of the original lung affection and the time gap since the acute phase. Residual anomalies' effects on respiratory physiology, symptoms, and quality of living are unknown. Maintained monitoring of COVID-19 survivors with clinical examination, iterative pulmonary function tests, and HRCT is advised.