High Resolution Computed Tomography Scan Findings of Chest among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients at a Dedicated Hospital in Dhaka City during the First Wave of Pandemic

Abstract

Background: The use of chest imaging in COVID-19 can be especially useful for patients with moderate to severe symptoms or comorbidities. Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the high resolution computed tomography (CT) findings observed among the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients presented with pneumonia and to reveal the most frequent infiltration and distribution patterns of the disease. Methodology: This was a retrospective study. This study was performed in the Department of Radiology & Imaging at Kurmitola General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. This was the first dedicated COVID-19 hospital with a bed capacity of 500 and well-equipped ICU facilities. The recorded HRCT scan data were collected in the period from April 2020 up to May 2020 during the first wave of COVID-19 in Bangladesh. As this was a retrospective study, verbal or written consent was not obtained from all potential participants or guardians. The available demographic data as well as the medical history of all data were collected and thoroughly reviewed from the record book. These patients were RT-PCR confirmed cases of COVID-19 patients presented with pneumonia and were admitted to Kurmitola General Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. All these patients underwent HRCT scans of the chest. Result: A total number of 155 COVID-19 patients with HRCT scan were evaluated. The mean age with SD of the study population was 58.03 ± 14.08 years with the range of 22 to 97 years. The male and female ratio was 2.04:1. Fibrosis of the lungs and thickening of pleura were found in 38 (24.5%) cases and 33 (21.3%) cases respectively. The involvement of both lungs was found in 32 (20.6%) cases. The presence of pneumonitis and bronchiectasis were detected in 77 (49.7%) cases and 5 (3.2%) cases respectively. Left-sided mild pleural effusion was also noted in 6 (3.9%) cases. Ground glass opacity was found in different forms. The most common form was the presence of only ground glass opacities which was 63 (40.6%) cases. Bilateral ground-glass opacities were detected in 63 (40.6%) cases. Conclusion: In conclusion, HRCT scan of the chest shows the bilateral ground-glass opacities and fibrosis of the lungs with pneumonitis in most of the COVID-19 hospital admitted patients.