The effect of radiological distribution on the COVID-19 disease

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of radiological distribution on COVID-19 clinic and prognosis and to determine the relationship between laboratory parameters and thorax CT findings. Materials and Methods: Patients with COVID-19 were evaluated retrospectively. Laboratory parameters were obtained from medical records. Groundglass opacities (GGO) and consolidation were evaluated on thorax CT. The presence of a single lobe lesion was considered as limited while multiple lobe lesions were considered as diffuse involvement for both GGO and consolidation. Results: A total 200 patients with COVID-19 were evaluated. 178 of them (89%) were discharged, 17 patients (8.5%) were transferred to the ICU and five patients died (2.5%). The ratios of mortality and transfer to the ICU in patients with diffused GGO were significantly higher compared to patients with limited GGOs. It was observed that troponin ≥0.06 µg/L, platelet <140 and fibrinogen ≥350 mg/dl were independent predictors of the presences of diffused GGOs in thorax CT. Conclusion: Diffused GGOs on thorax CT are correlated with the rate of mortality and transfer to the ICU in patients with COVID-19. Also, troponin, fibrinogen, and platelet levels can be used while predicting extensive parenchymal disease on thorax CT.