ARTICLE
TITLE

Chest radiography evaluation in patients admitted with confirmed COVID-19 infection, in a resource limited South African isolation hospital

SUMMARY

AbstractBackground: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and the subsequent global outbreak (coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]) was declared a public health emergency in January 2020. Recent radiologic literature regarding COVID-19 has primarily focused on Computed Tomography (CT) chest findings, with chest radiography lacking in comparison.Objectives: To describe the demographic profile of adult patients with COVID-19 pneumonia requiring hospital admission. To describe and quantify the imaging spectrum on chest radiography using a severity index, and to correlate the severity of disease with prognosis.Method: Retrospective review of chest radiographs and laboratory records in patients admitted to a South African tertiary hospital with confirmed COVID-19 infection. The chest X-rays were systematically reviewed for several radiographic features, which were then quantified using the Brixia scoring system, and correlated to the patient’s outcome.Results: A total of 175 patients (mean age: 53.34 years) admitted with COVID-19 were included. Ground glass opacification (98.9%), consolidation (86.3%), and pleural effusion (29.1%) was commonly found. Involvement of bilateral lung fields (96.6%) with no zonal predominance (61.7%), was most prevalent. Correlation between the Brixia score and outcome was found between severe disease and death (odds ratio [OR]: 12.86; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.58–104.61). Many patients had unknown TB (71.4%) and HIV (72.6%) statuses.Conclusion: In this study population, ground glass opacification, consolidation, and pleural effusions, with bilateral lung involvement and no zonal predominance were the most prevalent findings in proven COVID-19 infection. Quantification using the Brixia scoring system may assist with timeous assessment of disease severity in COVID-19 positive patients, as an overall predicator of clinical outcome.

 Articles related

Saba Sohail    

The severe form of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has largely manifested as a predominant respiratory illness causing severe pneumonia characterized by bilateral, subpleural ground glass haze, progressing to consolidation, and fibr... see more


Tahira Nishtar, Dr., Nosheen Noor, Shandana Latif Khan, Dr.    

Objective: To determine the pattern of COVID-19 on chest radiograph in patients presenting to Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted on 178 consecutive swab positive COVID-19 patients present... see more


Rafeah Rafeah Khan, Nuzhat Irfan Malik, Abdul Razaque    

Worldwide, tuberculosis (TB) is one of the top 10 causes of death, and the leading cause from a single infectious agent. Pakistan has an overwhelming burden of TB and it is a major health hazard for the majority of the rural population. The lung continue... see more


Jolly Musoke,Anita L. Michel    

AbstractThis study serves as baseline investigation into tuberculosis (TB) patient population characteristics and the compliance of clinics in rural settings to the national TB guidelines in terms of diagnosing the disease. A total of 62 TB positive pati... see more


Nausheen Khan,Dimakatso C. Thebe,Farhanah Suleman,Irma van de Werke    

AbstractThe thymus is a lymphatic organ that was often thought of as an organ of mystery by the ancientGreeks. A soft, pliable lymphatic organ positioned in the anterior superior mediastinum, itdoes not compress or displace the adjacent structures. It is... see more