Characteristics of Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan in COVID-19 Patients and Their Relationship with Mortality Rate

Background: The new coronavirus (Covid-19) has been forcing lots of burden on society and health care system. The definitive diagnosis of COVID-19 is made whether by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) laboratory test or computerized tomography (CT) scan. Although different patients may represent with different CT scan characteristics, but, Dominant CT scan imaging findings in COVID-19 is reported to be bilateral glass opacities, multifocal spots, and interstitial changes with peripheral distribution. These findings and the severity of lung involvements in CT scan may help physicians to diagnose the disease and predict the outcomes.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the demographic features in patients with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) and to determine the relationship between Computerized Tomography (CT) and mortality.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on the medical records of 212 patients with suspected COVID-19 admitted to the teaching hospitals of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from February 20, 2009 to August 2020. The patients’ CT images were also assessed and the frequency of abnormalities was determined.

Results: The Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test was positive in 204 patients (99%). Consolidation was observed in all the 206 patients. The highest degree of lung involvement (90%) was observed in 69 patients (33.5%). Atoll sign was also diagnosed in 121 cases (58.7%). Besides, crazy-paving reticular lines, subpleural sparing, and bronchial distortion were observed in 129 (62.6%), 88 (42.7%), and 124 patients (60.2%), respectively. In addition, multi-segment was detected in the CT scan results of 194 cases (94.2%), which was higher compared to the single segment seen in 12 patients (5.8%).

Conclusion: CT scan is a relatively sensitive technique for diagnosing COVID-19. The study results revealed a significant relationship between CT scan and death. The disease severity was also accurate using this method.