One year of COVID-19 pandemic: what we Radiologists have learned about imaging

Abstract

Background Since its outbreak in December 2019, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected more than 151 million people worldwide. More than 3.1 million have died from Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the illness caused by SARS-CoV-2. The virus affects mainly the upper respiratory tract and the lungs causing pneumonias of varying severity. Moreover, via direct and indirect pathogenetic mechanisms, SARS-CoV-2 may lead to a variety of extrapulmonary as well as vascular manifestations.

Methods Based on a systematic literature search via PubMed, original research articles, meta-analyses, reviews, and case reports representing the current scientific knowledge regarding diagnostic imaging of COVID-19 were selected. Focusing on the imaging appearance of pulmonary and extrapulmonary manifestations as well as indications for imaging, these data were summarized in the present review article and correlated with basic pathophysiologic mechanisms.

Results and Conclusion Typical signs of COVID-19 pneumonia are multifocal, mostly bilateral, rounded, polycyclic or geographic ground-glass opacities and/or consolidations with mainly peripheral distribution. In severe cases, peribronchovascular lung zones are affected as well. Other typical signs are the “crazy paving” pattern and the halo and reversed halo (the latter two being less common). Venous thromboembolism (and pulmonary embolism in particular) is the most frequent vascular complication of COVID-19. However, arterial thromboembolic events like ischemic strokes, myocardial infarctions, and systemic arterial emboli also occur at higher rates. The most frequent extrapulmonary organ manifestations of COVID-19 affect the central nervous system, the heart, the hepatobiliary system, and the gastrointestinal tract. Usually, they can be visualized in imaging studies as well. The most important imaging modality for COVID-19 is chest CT. Its main purpose is not to make the primary diagnosis, but to differentiate COVID-19 from other (pulmonary) pathologies, to estimate disease severity, and to detect concomitant diseases and complications.

Key Points: 

• Typical signs of COVID-19 pneumonia are multifocal, mostly peripheral ground-glass opacities/consolidations.

• Imaging facilitates differential diagnosis, estimation of disease severity, and detection of complications.

• Venous thromboembolism (especially pulmonary embolism) is the predominant vascular complication of COVID-19.

• Arterial thromboembolism (e. g., ischemic strokes, myocardial infarctions) occurs more frequently as well.

• The most common extrapulmonary manifestations affect the brain, heart, hepatobiliary system, and gastrointestinal system.

Citation Format

• Gross A, Albrecht T. One year of COVID-19 pandemic: what we Radiologists have learned about imaging. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2022; 194: 141 – 151

Key words

COVID-19 - COVID-19 pneumonia - SARS-CoV-2 - CO-RADS - extrapulmonary manifestations - pneumonia

Publication History

Received: 02 March 2021

Accepted: 11 May 2021

Article published online:
14 October 2021

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