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Lung CT Segmentation to Identify Consolidations and Ground Glass Areas for Quantitative Assesment of SARS-CoV Pneumonia
Published on: December 19, 2020
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Pleural abnormalities in COVID-19: a narrative review.
Biplab K Saha1, Woon H Chong2, Adam Austin3
1Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Ozarks Medical Center, West Plains, MO, USA.
Journal of Thoracic Disease
|August 23, 2021
Summary
Radiologic pleural abnormalities are common in coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), though pleural effusion is infrequent. Pneumothorax is rare in COVID-19 patients and does not worsen outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonology
- Infectious Diseases
- Radiology
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-CoV-2.
- Pulmonary and vascular changes in COVID-19 are well-documented.
- Pleural space abnormalities in COVID-19 require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review pleural abnormalities in COVID-19 patients.
- To discuss imaging findings, clinical features, and pathophysiology.
- To compare pleural abnormalities across different coronaviruses.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of medical databases and bibliographies.
- Analysis of transverse and ultrasound imaging findings.
- Examination of studies on pleural effusion, pneumothorax, and pneumomediastinum.
Main Results:
- Radiologic pleural abnormalities are frequent in COVID-19.
- Pleural effusion incidence is low.
- Pneumothorax is rare and not associated with poorer prognosis.
Conclusions:
- Pleural abnormalities are common in COVID-19, with low rates of effusion and rare pneumothorax.
- SARS-CoV-2 can infect the pleural space, but transmission via pleural fluid is uncertain.
- Further research is needed on the role of the pleural space in COVID-19 pathogenesis.
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