Radiology: Abnormal lung CT changes 3 months and 1 year after COVID-19 discharge

Background: Data on the long-term pulmonary sequelae of COVID-19 is lacking

Purpose: To evaluate the series of chest CT symptoms, functional impairment and residual lung abnormalities of COVID-19 survivors who were discharged from the hospital for 1 year follow-up

Materials and methods: Adult patients with COVID-19 discharged from the hospital between March and June 2020 will be prospectively evaluated through systematic evaluation of symptoms, functional impairment and chest CT during 3 months and 1 year.

Results: 80 participants (average age 59±13 years; 53 men)

Figure 1 A 48-year-old male who was discharged from hospital for COVID-19 for 3 months

Figure 1 A 48-year-old male who was discharged from hospital for COVID-19 for 3 months

Figure 2 56-year-old male, receiving treatment for new coronary pneumonia 3 months after discharge

Figure 2 56-year-old male, receiving treatment for new coronary pneumonia 3 months after discharge

Figure 3 (AD) scatter plot shows the relationship between the blood parameters of patients with CT changes and patients without CT changes at the time of admission for 3 months of follow-up

Figure 3 (AD) scatter plot shows the relationship between the blood parameters of patients with CT changes and patients without CT changes at the time of admission for 3 months of follow-up

Figure 4 An 83-year-old woman received treatment for new coronary pneumonia (A) 3 months and (B) 1 year after discharge

Figure 4 An 83-year-old woman received treatment for new coronary pneumonia (A) 3 months and (B) 1 year after discharge

Figure 5 (A) 59-year-old male at 3 months and (B) 1 year after COVID-19 discharge

Figure 5 (A) 59-year-old male at 3 months and (B) 1 year after COVID-19 discharge

Figure 6 (AC): Paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare the changes in CT scores at 3 months and 1 year, as well as the specific changes in overall CT abnormalities (A), ground glass opacity (B), and bands (C)

Figure 6 (AC): Paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test to compare the changes in CT scores at 3 months and 1 year, as well as the specific changes in overall CT abnormalities (A), ground glass opacity (B), and bands (C)

Table shows the demographics, acute admission data and admission blood results of patients with abnormal CT and normal CT during the 3-month follow-up

Table shows the demographics, acute admission data and admission blood results of patients with abnormal CT and normal CT during the 3-month follow-up

Conclusion: CT abnormalities are most common 3 months after COVID-19, but a few have signs of fibrosis

CT abnormalities are most common 3 months after COVID-19, but a few have signs of fibrosis
.
More severe acute illness is related to abnormal CT at 3 months
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However, during the 1-year follow-up, the imaging of most patients improved

Original source:

Vijayakumar B, Tonkin J, Devaraj A,et al, CT Lung Abnormalities after COVID-19 at 3 Months and 1 Year after Hospital Discharge.
Radiology 2021 Oct 05

CT Lung Abnormalities after COVID-19 at 3 Months and 1 Year after Hospital Discharge.

 

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