Radiographic features of COVID-19 based on an initial cohort of 96 patients in Singapore.
- Author:
Hau Wei Wei KHOO
1
;
Terrence Chi Hong HUI
1
;
Salahudeen Mohamed Haja MOHIDEEN
2
;
Yeong Shyan LEE
1
;
Charlene Jin Yee LIEW
3
;
Shawn Shi Xian KOK
4
;
Barnaby Edward YOUNG
5
;
Sean Wei Xiang ONG
5
;
Shirin KALIMUDDIN
6
;
Seow Yen TAN
7
;
Jiashen LOH
8
;
Lai Peng CHAN
2
;
Angeline Choo Choo POH
3
;
Steven Bak Siew WONG
4
;
Yee-Sin LEO
5
;
David Chien LYE
5
;
Gregory Jon Leng KAW
1
;
Cher Heng TAN
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; chest radiographs; coronavirus disease 2019
- MeSH: COVID-19; Humans; Lung/diagnostic imaging*; Radiography, Thoracic; Retrospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2; Singapore
- From:Singapore medical journal 2021;62(9):458-465
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
INTRODUCTION:Chest radiographs (CXRs) are widely used for the screening and management of COVID-19. This article describes the radiographic features of COVID-19 based on an initial national cohort of patients.
METHODS:This is a retrospective review of swab-positive patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to four different hospitals in Singapore between 22 January and 9 March 2020. Initial and follow-up CXRs were reviewed by three experienced radiologists to identify the predominant pattern and distribution of lung parenchymal abnormalities.
RESULTS:In total, 347 CXRs of 96 patients were reviewed. Initial CXRs were abnormal in 41 (42.7%) out of 96 patients. The mean time from onset of symptoms to CXR abnormality was 5.3 ± 4.7 days. The predominant pattern of lung abnormality was ground-glass opacity on initial CXRs (51.2%) and consolidation on follow-up CXRs (51.0%). Multifocal bilateral abnormalities in mixed central and peripheral distribution were observed in 63.4% and 59.2% of abnormal initial and follow-up CXRs, respectively. The lower zones were involved in 90.2% of initial CXRs and 93.9% of follow-up CXRs.
CONCLUSION:In a cohort of swab-positive patients, including those identified from contact tracing, we found a lower incidence of CXR abnormalities than was previously reported. The most common pattern was ground-glass opacity or consolidation, but mixed central and peripheral involvement was more common than peripheral involvement alone.
