Author/Authors :
Zhong, Lingshan Department of Radiology - Haihe Hospital - Tianjin University -Tianjin Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Tianjin, China , Zhang, Shuo Department of Radiology - Haihe Hospital - Tianjin University -Tianjin Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Tianjin, China , Wang, Jigang Department of Radiology - Haihe Hospital - Tianjin University -Tianjin Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Tianjin, China , Zhao, Xinqian Department of Radiology - Haihe Hospital - Tianjin University -Tianjin Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Tianjin, China , Wang, Kai Department of Radiology - Haihe Hospital - Tianjin University -Tianjin Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Tianjin, China , Ding, Wenlong Department of Radiology - Haihe Hospital - Tianjin University -Tianjin Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Tianjin, China , Xing, Zhiheng Department of Radiology - Haihe Hospital - Tianjin University -Tianjin Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Tianjin, China , Shen, Jun Department of Respiratory - Haihe Hospital - Tianjin University - Tianjin Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Tianjin, China
Abstract :
Objective. To investigate the dissipation and outcomes of pulmonary lesions at the first follow-up of patients who recovered from
moderate and severe cases of COVID-19. Methods. From January 21 to March 3, 2020, a total of 136 patients with COVID-19 were
admitted to our hospital. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, 52 patients who recovered from COVID-19 were included
in this study, including 33 moderate cases and 19 severe cases. Three senior radiologists independently and retrospectively
analyzed the chest CT imaging data of 52 patients at the last time of admission and the first follow-up after discharge, including
primary manifestations, concomitant manifestations, and degree of residual lesion dissipation. Results. At the first follow-up after
discharge, 16 patients with COVID-19 recovered to normal chest CT appearance, while 36 patients still had residual pulmonary
lesions, mainly including 33 cases of ground-glass opacity, 5 cases of consolidation, and 19 cases of fibrous strip shadow. /e
proportion of residual pulmonary lesions in severe cases (17/19) was statistically higher than in moderate cases (19/33)
(χ2 = 5.759, P < 0.05). At the first follow-up, residual pulmonary lesions were dissipated to varying degrees in 47 cases, and lesions
remained unchanged in 5 cases.There were no cases of increased numbers of lesions, enlargement of lesions, or appearance of new
lesions. /e dissipation of residual pulmonary lesions in moderate patients was statistically better than in severe patients
(Z = −2.538, P < 0.05). Conclusion. Clinically cured patients with COVID-19 had faster dissipation of residual pulmonary lesions
after discharge, while moderate patients had better dissipation than severe patients. However, at the first follow-up, most patients
still had residual pulmonary lesions, which were primarily ground-glass opacity and fibrous strip shadow. The proportion of
residual pulmonary lesions was higher in severe cases of COVID-19, which required further follow-up.
