Gastrointestinal Imaging Findings in the Era of COVID-19: A Pictorial Review

Medicina (Kaunas). 2023 Jul 19;59(7):1332. doi: 10.3390/medicina59071332.

Abstract

The potentially fatal COVID-19 pandemic has been associated with a largespectrum of clinical presentations. Beyond the classical pulmonary manifestations, gastrointestinal tract-related symptoms suchas nausea, diarrhea, abdominal distention and pain have been observed in patients, as a consequence of the binding of SARS-CoV-19 to Angiotensin-converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The early recognition ofspecific imaging features, including hepatobiliary involvement, pancreatic involvement, development of solid organ infarcts, ischemic bowel changes and vascular occlusion, plays a key role through the course of the disease. Also, suspicious symptoms, especially in critically ill patients with clinical and biochemical markers of hypovolemia, necessitate timely imaging for bleeding complications. The aim of this pictorial review is to illustrate the spectrum of the GIimaging findings in patients with COVID-19. Awareness of diagnostic imaging hallmarks is crucial to optimize the management of these patients.

Keywords: COVID-19; CT/CTA; abdominal; bleeding; colitis cholecystitis; gastrointestinal; pancreatitis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Gastrointestinal Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Gastrointestinal Tract
  • Humans
  • Lung / diagnostic imaging
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2

Grants and funding

This research received no external funding.