COVID-19 and Radiologist: Image Wisely

Abstract

On March 11, 2020, coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) was announced as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO urged for international action and co-operation in the following key areas: adequate preparation and readiness; detection, protection, and treatment; reducing transmission; and innovation and learning. As this disease has caused a significant impact on our lives, the health-care workers are the worst hit, both mentally and physically. In such hours of crisis where this pandemic is spreading rapidly, our role is to prudently use the health resources and relieve any extra burden on the health-care workers. This article reviews the role of imaging in the management of COVID-19 and also discusses the recommendations and guidelines for judicious use of imaging.

Keywords

Chest radiograph - computed tomography - coronavirus - COVID-19 - imaging - nCOV - point-of-care ultrasound - radiology

Introduction

On March 11, 2020, COVID-19 was announced as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). The WHO urged for international action and co-operation in the following key areas: Adequate preparation and readiness; detection, protection, and treatment; reducing transmission; and innovation and learning. As of April 9, 2020, there are approximately 1,395,136 reported cases and 81,580 deaths across the world [Figure 1]a] and [Figure 1]b]. Around 212 countries, areas or territories have reported COVID cases.[1], [2], [3] The worst-hit countries include Italy, Spain, the USA, and China. Currently, India has been also working on strategies to combat disease spread using social distancing and imposed quarantine. India has declared a nationwide lockdown until April 30, 2020. Considering this disease has caused a significant impact on all our lives, the health-care workers are the worst hit, both mentally and physically. In hours of crisis such as these with a rapidly spreading pandemic, our role is to ensure a judicious use of health resources and relieve any extra burden on the health-care workers.[4], [5], [6] This article reviews the role of imaging in the management of COVID-19; also discusses the recommendations and guidelines for prudent use of imaging.

Figure 1: (a and b) COVID-19 cases and deaths across the globe (source: ref 3)

Coronavirus Disease-2019 Diagnosis

Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), previously called as 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). The disease spreads via droplet transmission with a median incubation period of 5.1 days and 97.5% becoming symptomatic within 11.5 days (CI, 8.2–15.6 days) of getting infected. This extends to the 99th percentile results in almost all cases developing symptoms in 14 days after exposure. The R0 (basic reproduction number) is estimated to be between 2.2 and 3.28; this means that each infected individual, on average, causes 2–3 new infections.[7], [8] The common presenting symptoms include fever (85%–90%), cough (65%–70%), fatigue and myalgia (35%–40%), sputum production (30%–35%), and shortness of breath (15%–20%). The less common symptoms include arthralgia (10%–15%), headaches (10%–15%), sore throat (10%–15%), chills (10%–12%), and pleuritic pain. The overall mortality rate ranges from 2.3% to 2.9%. The disease severity has been classified into three grades: mild grade – no symptoms, mild coughing, and fever; severe grade – dyspnea, hypoxia, or <50% lung involvement on imaging; and critical grade – respiratory failure, shock, multi-organ failure. Overall, approximately 1% of cases are asymptomatic and approximately 80% are classified as “mild.” In the pediatric population, the disease is seen to have a shorter incubation period with a milder course and lower mortality. Accordingly to a study, approximately 6% of the total cases needed invasive or noninvasive intensive care unit (ICU). This group comprised predominantly elderly patients and at-risk population (with comorbid illnesses such as uncontrolled diabetes, recent myocardial infarction, and uncontrolled hypertension).[9], [10] The commonly reported indications for ICU admission included acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (approximately 23%), acute cardiac injury, super-added infections, sepsis, acute renal failure, and rarely, cytokine storm syndrome.

The real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) is a very specific diagnostic test but has a lower sensitivity of 65%–95%, which implies that there are chances of a false-negative test result even when the patient is infected. It is also time consuming and takes at least 24 h for the results. The other laboratory findings include a reduced lymphocyte count and an increased C-reactive protein, prothrombin time, and lactate dehydrogenase.[11], [12]

Coronavirus Disease-2019 and Imaging

As this pandemic becomes a global threat, the health-care system seems to be in the utmost pressure. It seems worthwhile to make judicious use of imaging in the management of COVID-19. Imaging in COVID-19 can be discussed into four subheadings: different imaging modalities, indications, imaging findings and reporting, and personal protective equipment (PPE) and safe imaging.

Imaging Modalities

It is prudent to avoid unnecessary imaging and commotion of suspected or positive cases to and from the radiology department. The frequency of imaging should be patient specific and rather not be pre-defined. The most economical and recommended imaging modality is chest radiography (CXR). A portable X-ray system may be deployed to a COVID-19 ward or isolation ward which is used exclusively for imaging COVID-suspected or COVID-confirmed patients. Although the sensitivity of CXR is low (<70%) as compared to computed tomography (CT) of the thorax, CT is still not recommended for diagnosing COVID-19. The third imaging modality is point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS). POCUS has shown a significant impact on ICU patients not only in terms of its diagnostic ability but also in limiting the rate of cross-contamination. Lung ultrasound is a safe, rapid, and a promising tool in diagnosing this contagious viral disease, especially in the ICU setting.[13], [14], [15]

Clinical Indications

The indications for imaging can be divided into four aspects and are summarized in [Figure 2]:[13], [14], [15], [16]

1. Screening: Imaging has no role in screening of COVID-19 and is strongly discouraged

2. COVID-suspected individuals: Imaging is not recommended for confirming the diagnosis of COVID-19. However, in individuals with high clinical suspicion, strong contact history, and negative RT-PCR results, CT imaging should be used to further investigate the classical COVID-19 findings which can serve as a surrogate marker and emphasize the need for a repeat RT-PCR. In situ ations with delayed RT-PCR results; CXR may play a significant role in patients with fever, hypoxia (spo2 <or equal to 94%), and tachypnea (respiratory rate >or equal to 20)

3. COVID-confirmed individuals: In patients with RT-PCR-confirmed COVID-19, imaging is not routinely recommended. Normal imaging on both CXR and CT of the thorax does not rule out COVID-19. Patients showing a milder form of disease do not require imaging. However, with moderate and severe disease, the baseline CXR may be performed to evaluate the evolution of the disease. Follow-up imaging in these scenarios should be used cautiously and it may vary from case to case. Depending on the availability, either POCUS or CT of the thorax might be necessary for severe cases with a significant clinical deterioration. These imaging tools can help to rule out other causes of sudden deterioration other than ARDS. They are also helpful in diagnosing secondary complications and superadded infections. CT of the brain may be indicated in patients with neurological deterioration and suspected acute necrotizing encephalopathy

4. COVID-incidental: More and more individuals are presenting with abdominal symptoms such as intestinal obstruction, gastrointestinal (GI) bleed, and GI inflammation. In these atypical scenarios, if indicated, a CT of the thorax must be included and the CT of the thorax findings should be reported as that for COVID suspect.

Figure 2: Guidelines and recommendations for imaging in COVID-19. Adapted from Ahuja et al.[36]

Imaging Findings and Reporting of Coronavirus Disease-2019

Chest X-ray

Approximately 70% of the patients requiring hospitalization have initial baseline CXR abnormalities and approximately 90% have detectable CXR abnormalities during the hospital stay. CXR tends to be display positive findings during the 2^nd week of SARS-CoV-2 infection and findings are most prevalent approximately 10–12 days postinfection. The most frequent finding is airspace shadows, typically described as consolidation and less commonly ground-glass opacities (GGO). They are bilateral, peripheral, and predominantly in lower zones. Other rare CXR findings include pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and interstitial pattern. Findings of ARDS may be seen in severe cases with dropping Spo2.[16], [17]

Computed tomography of the thorax

Plain CT of the thorax is adequate and appropriate for imaging COVID-19 patients. The primary findings on CT in adult patients with COVID-19 are GGOs (88%) that are typically bilateral (87%) and subpleural and peripheral (76%); crazy paving appearance (GGOs and inter/intralobular septal thickening); air space consolidation (32%); bronchovascular thickening in the lesion; and traction bronchiectasis. Other rare CT findings include pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, lymphadenopathy, halo sign, pleural thickening, and pneumothorax. In one study, approximately 50% of the asymptomatic cases had positive chest CT findings.

In patients with frank hemoptysis, contrast CT imaging is indicated to rule out the cause of hemoptysis. However, it is recommended to always do a plain CT prior to contrast CT as the contrast may impact the evaluation of GGOs.

CT has a limited role in confirming the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection (normal CT does not rule out COVID-19!!). The overall diagnostic accuracy of CT in terms of sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and negative predictive value (NPV) is 60%–98%, 25%–53%, 92%, and 42%, respectively. The low NPV makes CT not suitable for screening COVID-19 suspects.[18], [19], [20], [21] Some authors have anticipated that the incidence of coexisting infections could be as high as 20%, and these patients may demonstrate mixed (typical and atypical) CT findings.[16]

CT findings show temporal changes during the course of disease with focal GGOs and consolidation in the ultra-early stage (1–2 weeks after exposure); GGO combined with interlobular septal thickening in the early stage (day 1–3 after clinical manifestation); extensive consolidative patches with air bronchograms are the common findings in the rapid progression stage (days 3–7 of symptomatic presentation); and during the consolidative stage (2^nd week since clinical presentation), the lesions start to involute and gradually regress in size and number. The incidence of GGO and consolidation varies with age, and the incidence of GGOs was higher (>70%) in patients younger than 50 years. However, in patients older than 50 years, consolidation and GGO had equal incidence.[22], [23], [24] Known lung carcinoma does not seem to have any influence over the course of COVID-19.[25]

Point-Of-Care Ultrasound

Bedside lung ultrasonography (USG) is a practical alternative to CT imaging for critical patients, especially in the ICU. The findings on ultrasound USG are predominantly posterobasal and bilateral; common findings include multiple B-lines that represent thickened subpleural interlobular septae, subpleural consolidative patches, irregular thickened pleura, and pleural effusion. In severe progressive disease, alveolar consolidation is a common finding which is seen as a tissue-like appearance with dynamic and static air bronchograms.[26], [27], [28]

Reporting of Imaging Findings

In scenarios where CXR or/and CT thorax are performed for either COVID-suspected or COVID-confirmed patients, the reports should include a CT severity score. The severity of lung involvement on imaging correlates with disease severity. Both the lungs can be divided into three zones on each side: Zone 1 – apex to the carina, Zone 2 – carina to the inferior pulmonary vein, and Zone 3 – below the inferior pulmonary vein. Each zone can be assigned a visual score of 0–4 (no abnormality – 0, up to 25% involvement – 1, up to 50% involvement – 2, up to 75% involvement – 3, and <75% involvement score – 4). The severity grades include mild, moderate and severe.

The final impression should be categorized as one of the following: typical for COVID-19, indeterminate for COVID-19, atypical for COVID-19 (look for other causes), and negative for pneumonia.[16] The typical category comprises few characteristic findings in the following patterns – peripheral bilateral GGOs with/without consolidation or visible intralobular lines (“crazy-paving”) or multifocal GGO of rounded morphology with or without consolidation or visible intralobular lines (“crazy paving”) or reverse halo sign or other findings of organizing pneumonia (later stage of the disease) [Figure 3]. These findings can also be seen in the COVID-19 and can also be seen in some other conditions such as viral pneumonia of other causes (especially in influenza) and acute lung injury patters such as organizing pneumonia [Figure 4]a] secondary to drug toxicities/graft versus host disease [Figure 4]b] or connective tissue disorders or idiopathic [Figure 4]c].[16]

Figure 3: A 33-year-old pregnant female underwent a lower (uterine) segment cesarean section, and on day 2, the patient developed fever and cough with a sudden onset of breathlessness; the computed tomography of the thorax was performed to rule of pulmonary thromboembolism. Computed tomography showed peripheral patchy areas of consolidation with surroundings ground-glass opacities and subpleural lines and crazy paving typical for COVID-19. The patient was shifted to the ICU and was on ventilator

Figure 4: (a-d) COVID‑19 mimics. Patchy consolidation with a predominantly subpleural and peribronchial distribution as seen in this case of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (a). Scattered nodules, areas of ground-glass opacities, and air trapping as seen in a case of bronchiolitis obliterans due to graft versus host disease (b). Extensive crazy paving and reticular pulmonary fibrosis seen in a case of secondary pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (c). Reticular opacities with crazy paving and mosaic patterns of ground-glass opacities with consolidation in a case of pneumocystis pneumonia (d)

The indeterminate appearance on CT of the thorax is usually the absence of typical features with other findings such as multifocal, diffuse, perihilar, or unilateral GGO with/without consolidation lacking a specific distribution and is nonrounded or nonperipheral. Few very small GGOs with a nonrounded and nonperipheral distribution can also be considered as an indeterminate appearance. These features can also be seen in other conditions such as acute hypersensitivity pneumonitis, pneumocystis infections [Figure 4]d], and diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. They are not specific enough to be to make a confident diagnosis.[16]

The atypical appearance usually should be considered when there is an absence of both typical and indeterminate features but instead show isolated lobar or segmental consolidation with GGO (as seen in bacterial pneumonia) or presence of discrete small nodules predominantly centrilobular giving a “tree-in-bud” appearance (such as in community-acquired or aspiration pneumonia) or lung cavitation (seen in necrotizing pneumonia) or smooth interlobular septal thickening with pleural effusion. In such cases, alternative diagnoses such as bacterial pneumonia, necrotizing pneumonia, and community-acquired or aspiration pneumonia should be considered.[16]

The scan can be reported as negative for pneumonia if the CT scan demonstrates no features suggestive of pneumonia.[16]

Personal Protective Equipment and Safe-Imaging[29], [30], [31], [32], [33], [34], [35]

It is important to follow PPE guidelines to limit cross-contamination and nosocomial spread. PPE may include masks (N95 respirator or surgical masks but not a cloth mask), gloves, eye protection goggles, gowns, face shields, hoods, and shoe covers. If logistically feasible, dedicated COVID-CT equipment should be made available. If logistically feasible, dedicated equipment is recommended for the imaging of only COVID-19-positive patients in the allotted ward, as in that case, equipment sanitization will be not required after every procedure. No patient coming to the department for COVID-19-related imaging should be without a well-placed face mask. Manual handling of referral forms for imaging should be avoided to limit cross-contamination. Adequate infection control measures should be undertaken without any delay once the imaging procedure is performed. The CT room should be cleaned with a 1% sodium hypochlorite solution, and the areas of contact should be cleaned with alcohol-based disinfectants. The CT room should be vacated empty with strictly no permission for any patients/health-care worker to enter for at least 1 h with a passage for fresh air to thoroughly ventilate the room. Follow institutional reuse policies for masks. Strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) and guidelines should be laid down (CDC, WHO, and RSNA) for all the imaging modalities and imaging staff.

Conclusion

We as health-care workers have the onus to make judicious use of imaging resources and follow strict SOPs to combat this pandemic. Imaging has no role in screening of suspected COVID-19 cases with exceptions described above. In COVID-19 cases, the use of imaging is based on the clinical status of patients preferably reserved for moderate-to-severe cases and in patients with sudden clinical deterioration. POCUS or bedside ultrasound is a practical alternative to CT imaging for critical patients in the ICU. PPE and sanitization procedures must be followed to limit nosocomial spread.

Declaration of patient consent

The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form the patient(s) has/have given his/her/their consent for his/her/their images and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patients understand that their names and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal their identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

Conflict of Interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Indian Radiological and Imaging Association and Indian College of Radiology and Imaging (ICRI), Imaging recommendation by ICRI for COVID-19 by Dr. Ashu Seth Bhalla, Dr. Vimal Raj, Dr. Abhishek Mahajan, Dr. Leena R V, Dr. Lalendra Upreti Dr. Priyanka Naranje, Dr. Gh Mohammad Wani, Dr. Anant Mohan, Dr. Mandeep Garg, Dr. Anindita Sinha, Dr. Aparna Irodi, and Dr. Smita Manchanda.

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Publication History

Received: 09 April 2020

Accepted: 17 April 2020

Article published online:
23 May 2021