1.Chest radiographs in Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Mohana Letchumanan ; Adi Afiq Bin Md Anour ; Shubash Shander Ganapathy ; Syaman Harry ; Nik Shah Hizan Binti Nik Lah ; Norlimah Binti Arsad ; Nur Farhana Binti Ahmad Fisol,
The Medical Journal of Malaysia 2021;76(2):131-137
Objectives: To recognize the radiographic patterns of
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Malaysia.
Materials and Methods: Chest radiographs of patients
confirmed with COVID-19 in Hospital Tawau, Sabah,
Malaysia were retrospectively analyzed by two radiologists.
The radiographic pattern, distribution among subgroups
and evolution of the disease over time were determined.
Results: Among the 82 patients studied, 65 (79.3%) were
males. Mean age of our cohorts was 37 ± 15 years. Baseline
chest radiographs were abnormal in 37 patients (45.1%).
Over half (52.9%) of the symptomatic patients had abnormal
baseline radiograph. Among the children, patients with
comorbidities, and patients 60 years of age and above, the
abnormal radiographs were 14.3%, 71.4% and 69.3%
respectively. Ground glass opacities were the commonest
abnormal radiographic feature (35.4%), were peripherally
located (35.4%) with predilection for the lower zones
(29.3%). Most radiographic abnormalities were multifocal
(20.7%) and frequently located in the left lung (19.5%).
Radiographic recovery was observed in 15 of 18 patients
(83%). Computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated
greater extent of the disease than observed in radiographs
of the same patient.
Conclusions: COVID-19 pneumonia presented with a
specific radiographic pattern in our cohort of patients,
comprising of ground glass opacities in peripheral and
basilar distribution, affecting a single lung field and was
observed in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.
Chest radiograph is a useful adjunct screening tool, and in
combination with clinical and epidemiological assessment
may facilitate in early diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia.