Introduction
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) originated in Wuhan, China towards the end of 2019
and swiftly spread across the world infecting an estimated 6.5million people and claiming
382 867 lives till June 06, 2020.[[1]] COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus
2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is an enveloped single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the family
of betacoronaviruses.[[2]] The disease is highly contagious and spreads through the respiratory route with
lungs being the primary organs affected. Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase
chain reaction (RT-PCR) performed on respiratory secretions is considered to be the
standard diagnostic test.[[3]] However, RT-PCR has a reported sensitivity of 60–71% with many false-negative reported
cases.[[4]] Imaging serves as a complementary tool in confirming the diagnosis, especially
in RT-PCR negative cases. Chest radiography is the preliminary investigation used
for patients with suspected COVID-19. Chest radiographs may be normal in early or
mild disease. However, up to 69% of patients with COVID-19 requiring hospitalization
have an abnormal chest radiograph at the time of admission, and up to 80% show radiographic
abnormalities sometime during hospitalization.[[5]] Chest computed tomography (CT) is sensitive to the detection of COVID-19 pneumonia.
It is also useful in monitoring the progress of the disease or in monitoring the response
to treatment. Nuclear imaging procedures (18F-FDG PET/CT or131I SPECT/CT) performed for various standard clinical conditions may incidentally detect
signs of COVID-19 pneumonia with increased metabolic activity in the pulmonary lesions
and mediastinal lymph nodes.[[6]] Given the increasing number of COVID-19 cases globally, many radiologists will
incidentally encounter chest imaging of COVID-19 patients. So, familiarity with the
imaging manifestations of this disease is essential. We performed a literature search
of PubMed and Embase databases initially on May 17, 2020, and updated on June 9, 2020.
After screening the titles and abstracts, 15 original studies and two review articles
reporting CT imaging features of COVID-19 from countries like China, Europe and India
were selected. Based on a compendious review of these published studies and our own
experience in interpreting COVID-19 imaging in the frontline, we aim to present a
pictorial review of CT imaging findings in COVID-19 to illustrate the typical and
atypical manifestations of this disease in a bid to familiarize radiologists with
the myriad imaging manifestations of this disease. The study was approved by the Institutional
Review Board (IRB) and the requirement of informed patient consent was waived off.
Main Observations
Bilateral, peripheral and basal ground-glass opacities with multilobar involvement
have been described as the initial CT manifestations of COVID-19 pneumonia.[[1]] During the intermediate stage of disease, progressive transformation of GGOs into
consolidations occurs with the development of interlobular septal thickening producing
characteristic crazy paving patterns. The CT findings reach a crescendo around the
tenth day of symptom onset. Some patients deteriorate and develop extensive lung opacities
leading to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which is the main cause of
death. In patients with clinical recovery, there is a gradual resolution of consolidative
changes with a reduction in both the size and number of these opacities with a new
development of reticulations and fibrous stripes, usually observed after 2 weeks.
Pleural effusion, pericardial effusion, mediastinal lymphadenopathy, halo sign or
reverse halo sign are uncommon but possible CT features of COVID-19 seen with disease
progression.[[7], [8], [9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15]] [[Table 1]] provides a summary of different pulmonary findings in COVID-19 reported across
various studies.
Table 1
Rate of occurrence of chest CT manifestations of COVID-19 pneumonia (according to
8 published studies with a sample size of more than 100 patients)
Parameter (%)
|
Zhao (12)
|
Bai (21)
|
Bernheim (9)
|
Ai (11)
|
Guan (10)
|
Han (13)
|
Parry (17)
|
Akin (19)
|
Number of patients
|
101
|
219
|
121
|
1014
|
1099
|
108
|
211
|
185
|
Bilateral lung involvement
|
82
|
75
|
60
|
-
|
52
|
-
|
76.4
|
86.4
|
Peripheral distribution
|
87
|
80
|
52
|
-
|
-
|
90
|
100
|
87.1
|
Posterior distribution
|
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
100
|
46.3
|
Multilobar involvement
|
-
|
-
|
85
|
-
|
-
|
65
|
-
|
-
|
GGO
|
86
|
91
|
34
|
46
|
56
|
60
|
100
|
82.3
|
GGO and consolidation
|
64
|
69
|
41
|
50
|
-
|
41
|
47.2
|
32.7
|
Crazy-paving pattern
|
-
|
5
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
40
|
32.6
|
21.8
|
Air bronchogram
|
-
|
14
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
48
|
24.7
|
23.1
|
Bronchial dilatation
|
53
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
19
|
Pleural effusion
|
14
|
4
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1.5
|
2
|
Pleural thickening
|
-
|
15
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12.9
|
Pericardial effusion
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0
|
0
|
Lymphadenopathy
|
1
|
3
|
0
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
0
|
12.2
|
Bronchial wall thickening
|
29
|
9
|
12
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Reticular pattern
|
49
|
35
|
7
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
29.2
|
-
|
Sub pleural lines
|
28
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
18
|
27.9
|
Reverse halo sign
|
-
|
5
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
18
|
15
|
Nodules
|
23
|
32
|
0
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
0
|
18.4
|
Vessel enlargement
|
71
|
59
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
80
|
67.4
|
34
|
We performed non-contrast chest CT in 179 non-consecutive RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2
infected patients. Among the total study population, 152 (84.9%) patients were symptomatic
and 27 (15.1%) patients were asymptomatic. Among the symptomatic patients, the most
common symptoms reported were fever (73%), cough (49%), myalgia (61%), fatigue (66%),
sore throat (23%), breathlessness (9%), hyposmia/anosmia (4%) and dysguesia (3%).The
CT findings of our study cohort are summarized in [[Table 2]].
Table 2
CT findings in RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infected patients in our study
Parameter
|
All patients (n=179)
|
Symptomatic patients (n=152; 84.9%)
|
Asymptomatic patients (n=27; 15.1%)
|
CT findings
|
|
|
|
Present
|
104 (58.1%)
|
95 (62.5%)
|
9 (33.3%)
|
Absent
|
75 (41.9%)
|
57 (37.5%)
|
18 (66.7%)
|
Laterality of lung involvement
|
|
|
|
Unilateral
|
19 (18.3%)
|
13 (13.7%)
|
6 (66.7%)
|
Bilateral
|
85 (81.7%)
|
82 (86.3%)
|
3 (33.3%)
|
Focality
|
|
|
|
Unifocal
|
9 (8.7%)
|
4 (4.2%)
|
5 (55.5%)
|
Multifocal
|
95 (91.3%)
|
91 (95.7%)
|
4 (44.5%)
|
Axial distribution
|
|
|
|
Peripheral predominant
|
96 (92.3%)
|
88 (92.6%)
|
8 (88.9%)
|
Central and peripheral
|
8 (7.7%)
|
7 (7.4%)
|
1 (11.1%)
|
Antero-posterior distribution
|
|
|
|
Posterior predominant
|
91 (87.5%)
|
84 (88.4%)
|
7 (77.8%)
|
Anterior and posterior
|
13 (12.5%)
|
11 (11.6%)
|
2 (22.2%)
|
Type of lung opacity
|
|
|
|
Pure GGO
|
64 (61.5%)
|
56 (58.9%)
|
8 (88.9%)
|
GGO with consolidation
|
18 (17.3%)
|
18 (18.9%)
|
-
|
Crazy-paving pattern
|
14 (13.5%)
|
14 (14.7%)
|
-
|
Pure consolidation
|
6 (5.8%)
|
6 (6.3%)
|
-
|
Nodules
|
2 (1.9%)
|
1 (1.1%)
|
1 (11.1%)
|
Additional CT findings
|
|
|
|
Vessel dilatation sign
|
71 (68.3%)
|
71 (74.7%)
|
-
|
Reverse Halo sign
|
17 (16.3%)
|
15 (15.8%)
|
2 (22.2%)
|
Halo sign
|
1 (0.9%)
|
1 (1.1%)
|
-
|
Bronchial dilatation
|
5 (4.8%)
|
5 (5.3%)
|
-
|
Bronchial wall thickening
|
4 (3.8%)
|
4 (4.2%)
|
-
|
Air bubble sign
|
6 (5.8%)
|
5 (5.3%)
|
1 (11.1%)
|
Reticulations
|
14 (13.5%)
|
10 (10.5%)
|
4 (44.4%)
|
Subpleural lines
|
13 (12.5%)
|
10 (10.5%)
|
3 (33.3%)
|
Fibrous stripes
|
6 (5.8%)
|
6 (6.3%)
|
-
|
Perilobular sign
|
5 (4.8%)
|
5 (5.3%)
|
-
|
Pleural thickening
|
4 (3.8%)
|
4 (4.2%)
|
-
|
Pleural effusion
|
4 (3.8%)
|
4 (4.2%)
|
-
|
Mediastinal lymphadenopathy
|
3 (2.9%)
|
3 (3.2%)
|
-
|
Important negative findings
|
|
|
|
Tree-in-bud appearance
|
0
|
|
|
Cavitation
|
0
|
|
|
Pneumothorax
|
0
|
|
|
Pericardial effusion
|
0
|
|
|
Ground-glass opacity (GGO)
GGO is a descriptive term that denotes an area of increased lung attenuation on CT
through which vascular and bronchial structures can be seen [[Figure 1]]. It results from the partial filling of alveoli with fluid, blood or cells or due
to the thickening of pulmonary interstitium. COVID-19 has been typically described
to present with multifocal GGOs with a basal, peripheral and posterior distribution.
The GGOs can be patchy or confluent, rounded or elongated. Salehi et al.[[7]] in a systematic review of 22 studies found GGO as the commonest CT manifestation
in COVID-19 with a cumulative prevalence of 88%. Parry et al.[[8]] reported GGO with a cumulative prevalence of 100%. Bernheim et al.[[9]] reported the presence of pure GGOs in 34% and GGOs mixed with consolidation in
41%. Caruso D et al.[[16]] reported GGOs in 100% of their patients.
Figure 1 (A-D): 42-year-old man presenting with fever and cough with RT-PCR confirmed
COVID-19 (A and B). Non-contrast axial chest CT images (A and B) performed 5 days
after symptom onset reveal multiple small peripheral patchy wedge shaped GGOs (black
arrow in A) with posterior distribution (yellow arrow in A) in both lungs. 65-year-old
(C) and 62-year-old (D) male patients presenting with fever, cough and dyspnea with
RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19. Axial CT images performed 7 days after symptom onset in
both patients showing extensive bilateral, confluent and elongated GGOs in both lungs
with posterior and peripheral predominance
Crazy-paving pattern
It refers to GGO with superimposed interlobular thickening producing a crazy pavement
like pattern thus earning it the moniker of the crazy-paving pattern [[Figure 2]]. Crazy-paving pattern has been variably reported from 5% to 40% in COVID-19 pneumonia.[[9], [13], [17]] Its incidence also increases with the progression of disease and is seen predominantly
around the eighth day of infection.
Figure 2: 59-year-old male presenting with fever, cough and dyspnea with RT-PCR confirmed
COVID -19. Non-contrast axial chest CT image performed 8 days after symptom onset
showing combined peripheral-central and predominantly posterior ground glass opacities
with associated interlobular septal thickening forming the typical crazy paving pattern
(red arrows)
Consolidation
Consolidation connotes an increase in pulmonary attenuation with obscuration of underlying
vascular and bronchial structures and pathologically represents flooding of air-filled
alveolar spaces with fluid, blood or inflammatory cells [[Figure 3]]. Consolidations are seen increasingly in COVID-19 as the infection progresses with
a peak incidence at 13–16 days. Consolidations are found more commonly superimposed
on GGOs whereas pure consolidations are less common.[[7], [8]] Consolidations also have a peripheral and bilateral distribution akin to GGOs.
Unilobar pure consolidation is seldom a feature of COVID-19 and should alert one to
consider an alternate diagnosis of bacterial pneumonia.
Figure 3 (A-D): 42-year-old (A) and 24-year-old (B) male patients presenting with
cough and fever with RT-PCR confirmed COVID -19. Non-contrast axial chest CT images
performed on 4th (A) and 6th (B) day of illness respectively, show peripheral GGOs (arrows in A) and large consolidation
in superior segment of left lower lobe (black arrow in B). Another 36-year-old male
patient presenting with fever and cough with RT-PCR confirmed COVID -19 (C and D).
Non-contrast axial chest CT images (C and D) performed 10 days after symptom onset
showing multifocal peripheral consolidations in both lungs (red arrow in C). One bronchocentric
consolidation (black arrow in C) is also seen
Reticular pattern
Reticular pattern is characterized by a collection of innumerable interweaving linear
or wavy shadows producing a mesh-like pattern on CT and results from a varying combination
of interlobular and intralobular septal thickening [[Figure 4]]. They are found during the resorptive phase of the disease.[[8], [18]]
Figure 4 (A and B): 33-year-old asymptomatic patient with RT-PCR confirmed COVID -19
(A). Axial chest CT image (A) shows reticular pattern in superior segment of right
lower lobe (red arrow in A). 52-year-old asymptomatic patient with RT-PCR confirmed
COVID -19 (B). Axial chest CT image (B) shows curvilinear subpleural lines in lower
lobes of both lungs (red arrows in B)
Subpleural curvilinear lines
On chest CT subpleural lines are represented by thin (1-3mm) curvilinear shadows lying
within 1cm of pleural margin and coursing parallel to it [[Figure 4]]. It is pathologically represented by pulmonary edema or developing fibrosis. It
has been reported with an incidence of 17–28% in COVID-19 patients.[[8], [12]]
Air bubble sign
Air bubble sign is the presence of a small air containing lucency within a GGO or
consolidation and possibly represents entrapped physiological air space or cross-section
of a small dilated bronchus or might represent the early evidence of resorption of
consolidation [[Figure 5]]. It was initially reported in COVID-19 patients by Shi et al.[[18]] who called it round cystic change followed by Kong et al.[[3]] who referred to it as a cavity sign. But a glance through the depicted pictures
in these studies led us to conclude that air bubble lucency would be an appropriate
term for it.
Figure 5: 65-year-old male patient presenting with fever, cough and dyspnea with RT-PCR
confirmed COVID -19. Non-contrast axial chest CT image obtained 9 days after symptom
onset shows confluent elongated ground glass opacities in both lungs with posterior
and peripheral predominance with few rounded lucencies within the GGOs (red arrows)
producing air bubble sign
Pulmonary nodules
Nodule represents a round or irregular opacity less than 3cm in the longest dimension
[[Figure 6]]. Nodules are uncommonly encountered in COVID-19. It has been variably reported
in COVID-19 with an incidence of 3–32% [[11], [19], [20], [21]]
Figure 6 (A and B): 43-year-old male patient presenting with fever and cough with
RT-PCR confirmed COVID -19. Non-contrast axial chest CT images obtained 8 days after
symptom onset show few ill-defined nodules (red arrows in A & B) with one of the nodules
showing surrounding ground glass haze suggestive of halo sign (red frame in B)
Halo sign
It represents a ground-glass haze surrounding a nodule on CT [[Figure 6]]. Though classically seen in angioinvasive aspergillosis and hypervascular metastasis
where it represents the area of perilesional hemorrhage it has been reported in COVID-19
with a frequency of 3–12%[[16], [18]]
Reverse Halo sign or atoll sign
It manifests as a region of ground-glass haze surrounded by a complete or incomplete
ring of consolidation [[Figure 7]]. Thought initially to be specific of cryptogenic organizing pneumonia (COP) it
was subsequently reported in other pathologies. It has been seen in progressive or
resorptive stages of COVID-19.[[14], [22]] It might represent disease progression with peripheral areas of GGO transforming
into consolidation. The converse is also possible where central GGO might be an area
of resorption in the midst of a consolidation.
Figure 7: 61-year-old male patient presenting with fever, cough and dyspnea with RT-PCR
confirmed COVID -19. Non-contrast axial chest CT image obtained 13 days after symptom
onset shows bilateral organizing consolidations with reverse halo (atoll) sign (red
frames)
Fibrosis
Fibrous stripes or areas of fibrosis in COVID-19 were reported by Pan et al.[[14]] in 17% of patients. It represents the healing of areas of pneumonia with the formation
of fibrosis [[Figures 8] and [9]].
Figure 8: 55-year-old female patient presenting with fever and cough with RT-PCR confirmed
COVID -19. Non-contrast axial chest CT image obtained 18 days after symptom onset
shows bilateral curvilinear or wavy opacities. The wavy opacities (red arrows) assume
arc like shapes and represent perilobular opacities suggesting organizing pneumonia
with formation of fibrous stripes. Note is also made of pleural thickening on right
side (black arrow)
Figure 9: 36-year-old male patient presenting with fever, cough and dyspnea with RT-PCR
confirmed COVID -19. Non-contrast axial chest CT image obtained 16 days after symptom
onset shows multifocal peripheral consolidations in both lungs with formation of fibrous
stripes (black arrows on right side) and segmental bronchial wall thickening (red
arrow on left side)
Airway changes
Bronchial wall thickening and bronchial dilatation may be secondary to bronchial wall
inflammation and destruction with surrounding pulmonary parenchymal damage also partly
contributing to the bronchial dilatation [[Figure 9]].[[17]] Bronchial wall thickening has been reported in around 9–29% COVID-19 patients whereas
bronchial dilatation has been reported in some cases.[[12], [21]]
Vascular changes
Segmental or subsegmental pulmonary vascular enlargement on CT chest seems to be a
specific feature associated with COVID-19 [[Figure 10]]. Parry et al.[[8]] and Caruso D et al.[[16]] reported vascular enlargement in 70% and 89% of COVID-19 pneumonia, respectively.
Bai et al.[[21]] described vascular enlargement to be frequently associated with COVID-19 pneumonia
compared to non-COVID-19 pneumonia with a significant P value (<0.001). Small pulmonary vessel enlargement has been linked to the in-situ
immunothrombosis of small pulmonary vessels in COVID-19 pneumonia.[[23]]
Figure 10: 56-year-old male patient presenting with fever, cough and dyspnea with
RT-PCR confirmed COVID -19. Non-contrast axial chest CT image obtained 5 days after
symptom onset shows confluent elongated ground glass opacities in both lungs with
posterior and peripheral predominance with vascular enlargement (red arrows on right
side)
Pleural changes
Pleural effusion [[Figure 11]] has been reported uncommonly in COVID-19 patients with a varying incidence of 1–14%.[[12], [17]] Pleural thickening [[Figure 8]] has been reported in some patients.[[19], [21]]
Figure 11 (A and B): Axial CT images in lung window (A) and mediastinal window (B)
of a 62-year-old COVID-19 female patient with severe illness obtained on 8th day of illness show bilateral consolidations with air bronchogram (red arrow in A).
Bilateral pleural effusion is also noted (red arrows in B)
Pericardial effusion
Pericardial effusion is uncommonly seen in COVID-19 patients. It has been reported
to occur in severe or critically ill patients and possibly represents florid inflammation
[[8], [18]]
Mediastinal lymphadenopathy
Enlargement of mediastinal nodes (>10mm in short axis) has been infrequently seen
in COVID-19 patients especially in critically sick COVID-19 patients and was thus
considered as a risk factor of severe or critical disease.[[12], [19]] However, the presence of lymphadenopathy with effusion and numerous pulmonary nodules
may suggest bacterial superinfection.
Perilobular opacities and organizing pneumonia
Understandably, there is a paucity of literature regarding the long term pulmonary
sequelae of COVID-19. The follow-up imaging late in the course of the disease (>2
weeks) usually shows a reduction in the extent of GGO with development of a mixed
pattern of lung abnormalities consisting of arc-like perilobular opacities, subpleural
curvilinear lines and subpleural fibrous stripes with architectural distortion of
lungs [[Figure 12]]. The development of perilobular opacities suggests organizing pneumonia.[[22]] Viral pneumonias like severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory
syndrome (MERS) and influenza are known to produce secondary organizing pneumonia.
The currently available evidence also points to the development of secondary organizing
pneumonia in the survivors of COVID-19.
Figure 12 (A and B): 60-year-old male patient presenting with fever and cough with
RT-PCR confirmed COVID -19. Non-contrast axial chest CT images acquired on 26th day of illness show multiple arc like perilobular opacities referred to “perilobular
sign” which is a typical feature of organizing pneumonia (red arrows in A and B).
Curvilinear subpleural lines are also seen (blue arrow in B)
Organizing pneumonia is the precursor to the development of lung fibrosis. However,
given the fact that corticosteroid therapy has been previously shown effective in
the treatment of organizing pneumonia, use of follow-up CT scans to detect the development
of organizing pneumonia in COVID-19 patients and early institution of corticosteroid
therapy may reduce the possibility of development of lung fibrosis in the survivors.[[22]]
Conclusion
In conclusion, although bilateral peripheral GGOs and consolidation are the predominant
imaging manifestations of COVID-19 pneumonia, imaging findings can vary in different
stages and patients. Familiarity with the myriad CT manifestations of COVID-19 pneumonia
is essential to clinch an appropriate diagnosis.
Implications
In the current epidemic context, the presence of respiratory symptoms with imaging
evidence of pulmonary opacities (GGO or consolidation) immediately brings the diagnosis
of COVID-19 to mind. However, there are numerous infectious and noninfectious diseases
that mimic COVID-19 on CT [[Table 3]]. Viral pneumonia of other etiologies (like influenza A and B, SARS, MERS), bacterial
pneumonia (typical and atypical) and pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia are infectious
mimics of COVID-19 pneumonia. Among noninfectious causes, pulmonary edema, alveolar
hemorrhage and drug-induced pneumonitis are the most notable mimics.
Table 3
Differential diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia on CT
Parameter
|
COVID-19 Pneumonia
|
Other Viral pneumonias (Influenza)
|
Bacterial pneumonia
|
Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia
|
Pulmonary edema
|
Alveolar hemorrhage
|
Drug-induced pneumonitis
|
Distribution
|
Bilateral posterior peripheral basal
|
Diffuse
|
Confined to a lobe or segment
|
Central with subpleural sparing
|
Central predominance
|
Diffuse
|
Diffuse
|
Dominant opacity
|
GGO
|
GGO
|
Air-space consolidation
|
GGO
|
GGO
|
GGO
|
GGO or organizing pneumonia
|
Peculiarity (imaging or clinical)
|
Segmental vessel enlargement
|
Pleural effusion (30%) Bronchial wall thickening (45%)
|
Centrilobular nodules, mucoid impaction of bronchi, lymphadenopathy, effusion
|
Underlying immunodeficiency
|
Interlobular septal thickening and effusion
|
Small cavitatory nodules/ hemoptysis/ renal failure
|
History of drug intake
|