Chest CT manifestations of new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a pictorial review

Eur Radiol. 2020 Aug;30(8):4381-4389. doi: 10.1007/s00330-020-06801-0. Epub 2020 Mar 19.

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, first reported in Wuhan, China, has rapidly swept around the world just within a month, causing global public health emergency. In diagnosis, chest computed tomography (CT) manifestations can supplement parts of limitations of real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. Based on a comprehensive literature review and the experience in the frontline, we aim to review the typical and relatively atypical CT manifestations with representative COVID-19 cases at our hospital, and hope to strengthen the recognition of these features with radiologists and help them make a quick and accurate diagnosis.Key Points• Ground glass opacities, consolidation, reticular pattern, and crazy paving pattern are typical CT manifestations of COVID-19.• Emerging atypical CT manifestations, including airway changes, pleural changes, fibrosis, nodules, etc., were demonstrated in COVID-19 patients.• CT manifestations may associate with the progression and prognosis of COVID-19.

Keywords: Coronavirus infections; Pneumonia; Tomography, X-ray computed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Betacoronavirus*
  • COVID-19
  • COVID-19 Testing
  • COVID-19 Vaccines
  • Clinical Laboratory Techniques
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnostic imaging*
  • Disease Progression
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnostic imaging*
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Thorax / diagnostic imaging
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed