Pathophysiology and Imaging Findings of COVID-19 Infection: An Organ-system Based Review

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Pathophysiology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, often presenting with respiratory symptoms.
• Emerging evidence indicates SARS-CoV-2 infection affects multiple organ systems beyond the lungs.
• Understanding these systemic effects is critical for comprehensive patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 infection across various organ systems.
• To describe the characteristic imaging findings associated with extrapulmonary COVID-19 manifestations.
• To identify commonalities in the systemic effects of SARS-CoV-2.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on COVID-19 pathophysiology.
• Analysis of imaging characteristics in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Synthesis of findings related to multi-organ system involvement.

Main Results:

• Pulmonary findings are most common, but significant extrapulmonary manifestations occur.
• SARS-CoV-2 can affect the cardiovascular, neurological, gastrointestinal, and other systems.
• Imaging plays a key role in identifying these diverse organ system involvements.

Conclusions:

• Radiologists must be familiar with the broad spectrum of COVID-19's effects.
• Recognizing extrapulmonary findings is vital due to potential serious and long-term consequences.
• A comprehensive understanding of multi-organ pathophysiology aids in diagnosing and managing COVID-19.