tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
World J Radiol
. 2021 Sep 28;13(9):294-306.
doi: 10.4329/wjr.v13.i9.294.
Review on radiological evolution of COVID-19 pneumonia using computed tomography
Chiara Casartelli[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Fabiana Perrone[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Maurizio Balbi[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Veronica Alfieri[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Gianluca Milanese[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Sebastiano Buti[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Mario Silva[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Nicola Sverzellati[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Melissa Bersanelli[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: Pneumonia is the main manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Chest computed tomography is recommended for the initial evaluation of the disease; this technique can also be helpful to monitor the disease progression and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy.
Aim: To review the currently available literature regarding the radiological follow-up of COVID-19-related lung alterations using the computed tomography scan, to describe the evidence about the dynamic evolution of COVID-19 pneumonia and verify the potential usefulness of the radiological follow-up.
Methods: We used pertinent keywords on PubMed to select relevant studies; the articles we considered were published until October 30, 2020. Through this selection, 69 studies were identified, and 16 were finally included in the review.
Results: Summarizing the included works' findings, we identified well-defined stages in the short follow-up time frame. A radiographic deterioration reaching a peak roughly within the first 2 wk; after the peak, an absorption process and repairing signs are observed. At later radiological follow-up, with the limitation of little evidence available, the lesions usually did not recover completely.
Conclusion: Following computed tomography scan evolution over time could help physicians better understand the clinical impact of COVID-19 pneumonia and manage the possible sequelae; a longer follow-up is advisable to verify the complete resolution or the presence of long-term damage.
Keywords: COVID-19; Computed tomography; Follow-up; Long-term consequences; Lung damage; Pneumonia; Radiological evolution; SARS-CoV-2.
. 2021 Sep 28;13(9):294-306.
doi: 10.4329/wjr.v13.i9.294.
Review on radiological evolution of COVID-19 pneumonia using computed tomography
Chiara Casartelli[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Fabiana Perrone[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Maurizio Balbi[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Veronica Alfieri[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Gianluca Milanese[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Sebastiano Buti[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Mario Silva[SUP] 2 [/SUP], Nicola Sverzellati[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Melissa Bersanelli[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 34630915
- PMCID: PMC8473435
- DOI: 10.4329/wjr.v13.i9.294
Abstract
Background: Pneumonia is the main manifestation of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Chest computed tomography is recommended for the initial evaluation of the disease; this technique can also be helpful to monitor the disease progression and evaluate the therapeutic efficacy.
Aim: To review the currently available literature regarding the radiological follow-up of COVID-19-related lung alterations using the computed tomography scan, to describe the evidence about the dynamic evolution of COVID-19 pneumonia and verify the potential usefulness of the radiological follow-up.
Methods: We used pertinent keywords on PubMed to select relevant studies; the articles we considered were published until October 30, 2020. Through this selection, 69 studies were identified, and 16 were finally included in the review.
Results: Summarizing the included works' findings, we identified well-defined stages in the short follow-up time frame. A radiographic deterioration reaching a peak roughly within the first 2 wk; after the peak, an absorption process and repairing signs are observed. At later radiological follow-up, with the limitation of little evidence available, the lesions usually did not recover completely.
Conclusion: Following computed tomography scan evolution over time could help physicians better understand the clinical impact of COVID-19 pneumonia and manage the possible sequelae; a longer follow-up is advisable to verify the complete resolution or the presence of long-term damage.
Keywords: COVID-19; Computed tomography; Follow-up; Long-term consequences; Lung damage; Pneumonia; Radiological evolution; SARS-CoV-2.