Published online Aug 28, 2020. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v12.i8.142
Peer-review started: June 3, 2020
First decision: July 4, 2020
Revised: July 6, 2020
Accepted: August 16, 2020
Article in press: August 16, 2020
Published online: August 28, 2020
Processing time: 81 Days and 19.1 Hours
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.
Core tip: The world is presently confronting a global pandemic caused by a novel beta coronavirus. In hospitalized patients, coronavirus disease 2019 causes clinical lung disease with a range of severity. Plain chest radiography and chest computed tomography dominate the imaging landscape. Radiologists must be prepared to recognize the radiographic findings that often include bilateral and peripheral infiltrates on chest radiographs and bilateral and peripheral ground glass and consolidated opacities on computed tomography among other findings. The role of imaging as it relates to this disease is also covered.