Early CT manifestations and short-term evolution of coronavirus disease-2019

Abstract Objectives: This study explored the features of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) with the aim of improving clinical diagnosis.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical and CT data of 85 patients with COVID-19 who were diagnosed between January 20, 2020 and February 20, 2020. The imaging findings, clinical and laboratory data were evaluated.Results: Of the 85 patients, five had mild symptoms, 60 had moderate symptoms, and 20 had severe symptoms. Sixty-nine patients had direct or indirect contact history, while 16 patients (19%) had no obvious epidemiological history. Eighty-five patients had prominent respiratory symptoms, while 70 patients (82%) had moderate to low fever. There were no obvious lung abnormalities in CT images of patients with mild symptoms. Common chest CT manifestations in patients with moderate or severe symptoms were ground glass opacity (GGO) (16%); GGO combined with grid (39%) or consolidation (32%); and air bronchogram sign (13%). In these patients, lesions were mostly distributed in the lower lobes of the lungs, and most were located in the periphery; pleural effusion was rare. Within 3 days after onset, GGO (23%) and GGO combined with grid (45%) were the most common manifestations in CT images; GGO combined with grid (35%) and/or consolidation (41%) were the main manifestations in CT images at 5–10 days after onset.Conclusions: Common CT manifestations of COVID-19 were GGO alone and GGO combined with grid and/or consolidation. Short-term increases in ranges of lesions or consolidation areas may indicate disease aggravation.