Relation of high resolution pulmonary CT findings and clinical condition of COVID-19 patients

Introduction: At present, chest computed tomography (CT) is accepted as a tool for assessment COVID-19 patients. However, there are few data about the relationship between initial imaging results at presentation and the presence of systemic inflammatory mediators and outcome in patients with COVID-19. The aim of study is to evaluate the relation of initial high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) chest findings to inflammatory indices and clinical course of COVID-19 patients during hospitalization. Material and methods: This is a retrospective cohort study carried out on 108 confirmed COVID-19 patients. Demographic, laboratory and radiological data were recorded from patients medical records. Based on predominant HRCT density, patients were classified into either normal, ground glass opacity (GGO) and consolidation groups. By HRCT score, patients were classified into either no infilteration, ≤ 50% infilteration and > 50% infilteration groups. Comparison between clinical and laboratory parameters were observed among the groups. Results: More hypoxemia, higher inflammatory indices (CRP, d-dimer, ferritin), more requirement of ventilatory support and more mortality rate were observed in consolidation group compared to GGO (p < 0.05) and in patients with HRCT score > 50% compared to ≤ 50% infilteration group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Consolidation pattern and high CT chest quantitative score are associated with elevated inflammatory indices and poor outcome in COVID-19 patients. HRCT chest can be used for risk stratification of COVID-19 patients.