ObjectiveTo investigate the high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) signs of patients diagnosed with the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and explore its evolution features during hospitalization.MethodsFrom January 17, 2020 to February 26, 2020, HRCT images from 15 COVID-19 patients were analyzed. All the patients had positive nucleic acid test results of SARS-CoV-2. The imaging features of initial and follow-up of each patient were reviewed and graded based on the severity of lung lesions.ResultsAmong the 15 COVID-19 patients, ground-glass opacity (GGO) was found in 14 cases. Six patients presented with consolidation and 3 with fibrosis. Five patients had multi-lobe involvement. Subpleural distribution pattern was present in 12 patients (80.0%) and peribronchovascular distribution pattern was present in 2 patients (13.3%). The severity score on HRCT images at the follow-up was significantly higher than that at the initial (4.6±3.4 vs. 3.5±2.5, P=0.018 2). Increase of random distribution pattern (5 cases) were also noted at the follow-up.ConclusionsChest HRCT of COVID-19 patients is characterized with GGO mainly distributed in subpleural areas and a rapid progression within a short time interval. HRCT could provide a sensitive monitor to observe disease progression for COVID-19 patients.
ObjectiveTo explore the characteristics of chest high-resolution CT in common-type coronavirus disease 2019 patients.MethodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 35 patients in the Fever Clinic of West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 21 to February 23, 2020. According to the nucleic acid test results, the patients were divided into a nucleic acid positive group of 14 cases, and a nucleic acid negative group of 21 cases. The clinical characteristics and high-resolution CT results (including lesion distribution, morphology, density, paving stone sign, air bronchial sign, vascular thickening sign, pleural effusion and enlarged lymph nodes, etc.) of the patients in each group were compared.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in the ratio of males to females, age distribution, clinical symptoms, or absolute lymphocyte values between the nucleic acid positive group and the nucleic acid negative group (P>0.05). The difference in epidemiological history between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). The proportions of abnormal lymphocytes and white blood cell counts in the nucleic acid negative group were higher than those in the nucleic acid positive group (66.7% vs. 28.6%, P=0.041; 42.9% vs. 7.1%, P=0.028). The proportion of air bronchial signs in the nucleic acid negative group was higher than that in the nucleic acid positive group (47.6% vs. 7.1%, P=0.023). There was no significant difference in other high-resolution CT imaging findings between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionsCommon-type coronavirus disease 2019 patients have certain positive findings on chest high-resolution CT imagings. In clinical practice, high-resolution CT and other factors can be combined to assist in the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019.