Different Radiological Patterns on Plain Chest X-Ray in COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the radiological findings on radiograph chest in patients with 2019 Novel Corona virus disease (COVID-19). Methods: This is a retrospective study which was conducted at Radiology Department, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. Study was done on only those patients who were tested positive by RT-PCR method for Covid-19 infection. 350 patients were selected for the study and out of them 266 tested positive for Covid-19 by RT-PCR therefore radiographs of those 266 patients were included in the study. The radiographs were reported by two consultant radiologists. Results: Total 350 patients were selected for retrospective study. Out of these 350 patients, 266 tested positive for COVID-19 by RT-PCR method. The radiological findings were assessed in radiograph chest of these 266 patients. Out of 266 patients, 202(75.9%) were males and 64(24%) females. 62% (n=165) had bilateral lung involvement, 19.5% unilateral lung involvement and 18.4% (n=49) had normal radiographs. Majority of the patients had involvement of all zones of the lungs i.e. upper middle and lower zones at the time of study comprising of 69.12% (n=150). Middle and lower zones were simultaneously affected 22% (n=48). Interestingly only 2 patients (0.9%) had involvement of upper and middle zones. Surprisingly 7% (n=15) patients had involvement of only lower zone with normal upper and middle zones. Conclusion: Chest radiograph is an effective tool in early detection and characterization of the lesions in suspected or diagnosed cases of COVID-19 infection. It is also useful in follow up and prognosis of the patients suffering or recovered from COVID-19.