Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 17, 2025
Lung CT Segmentation to Identify Consolidations and Ground Glass Areas for Quantitative Assesment of SARS-CoV Pneumonia
Published on: December 19, 2020
Diagnostic imaging in COVID-19 pneumonia: a literature review
Sarah Campagnano1, Flavia Angelini1, Giovanni Battista Fonsi2
1Department of Radiological, Oncological and Path Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
Insights
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, leading to severe lung issues. Lung ultrasound and CT scans aid radiologists in early detection and monitoring of pulmonary involvement.
Area of Science:
- Medical Imaging
- Infectious Diseases
- Pulmonology
Background:
- COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, presents severe respiratory complications.
- Standard swab tests for COVID-19 diagnosis have limitations, including high false-negative rates.
- Radiologists are vital for diagnosing lung involvement in COVID-19 patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the role of medical imaging in diagnosing COVID-19 pulmonary involvement.
- To compare the utility of lung ultrasound (LUS) and computed tomography (CT) in COVID-19 diagnosis and management.
Main Methods:
- Review of diagnostic imaging techniques for COVID-19.
- Discussion of lung ultrasound (LUS) for bedside diagnosis and intensive care unit (ICU) applications.
- Evaluation of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) for assessing disease progression and resolution.
Main Results:
- LUS and CT demonstrate high sensitivity in detecting interstitial lung abnormalities in COVID-19.
- LUS offers a radiation-free, cost-effective bedside approach suitable for triage and ICUs.
- HRCT is effective for monitoring disease evolution and identifying subtle pulmonary changes.
Conclusions:
- Medical imaging, particularly LUS and CT, plays a critical role in the early diagnosis and management of COVID-19.
- LUS and HRCT provide complementary information for patient assessment and care.
- These imaging modalities are essential tools for radiologists managing COVID-19 patients.
Abstract:
In December 2019 in Wuhan (China), a bat-origin coronavirus (2019-nCoV), also known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified, and the World Health Organization named the related disease COVID-19. Its most severe manifestations are pneumonia, systemic and pulmonary thromboembolism, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and respiratory failure. A swab test is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of COVID-19 despite the high number of false negatives. Radiologists play a crucial role in the rapid identification and early diagnosis of pulmonary involvement. Lung ultrasound (LUS) and computed tomography (CT) have a high sensitivity in detecting pulmonary interstitial involvement. LUS is a low-cost and radiation-free method, which allows a bedside approach and needs disinfection of only a small contact area, so it could be particularly useful during triage and in intensive care units (ICUs). High-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is particularly useful in evaluating disease progression or resolution, being able to identify even the smallest changes.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
01:30Pneumonia III: Complications and Assessment
01:27Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies
Medical History
01:13Radiological Investigation III: Pulmonary Angiogram and PET Scan
Pulmonary Angiogram
A Pulmonary Angiogram is an invasive procedure involving injecting a contrast medium through a catheter threaded into the pulmonary artery or the right side of the heart to visualize the pulmonary vasculature. Computed Tomography (CT) scans have mainly replaced this...
01:30Radiological Investigation II: MRI and Ventilation Perfusion Scan
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Ventilation Perfusion Scans are two radiological investigations that offer detailed diagnostic images of the body, particularly lung structures.
MRI
MRI uses magnetic fields and radiofrequency signals to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissues. This technology provides a more detailed diagnostic image than CT scans, enabling it to characterize pulmonary nodules, stage bronchogenic carcinoma, and evaluate inflammatory activity in...
01:30Acute Coronary Syndrome III: Diagnostic Studies