Quantitative CT comparison between COVID-19 and mycoplasma pneumonia suspected as COVID-19: a longitudinal study

The purpose of this study was to compare imaging features between COVID-19 and mycoplasma pneumonia (MP).

The data of patients with mild COVID-19 and MP who underwent chest computed tomography (CT) examination from February 1, 2020 to April 17, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The Pneumonia-CT-LKM-PP model based on a deep learning algorithm was used to automatically quantify the number, volume, and involved lobes of pulmonary lesions, and longitudinal changes in quantitative parameters were assessed in three CT follow-ups.

A total of 10 patients with mild COVID-19 and 13 patients with MP were included in this study. There was no difference in lymphocyte counts at baseline between the two groups (1.43 ± 0.45 vs. 1.44 ± 0.50, p = 0.279). C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in MP group than in COVID-19 group (p < 0.05). The number, volume, and involved lobes of pulmonary lesions reached a peak in 7-14 days in the COVID-19 group, but there was no peak or declining trend over time in the MP group (p < 0.05).

Based on the longitudinal changes of quantitative CT, pulmonary lesions peaked at 7-14 days in patients with COVID-19, and this may be useful to distinguish COVID-19 from MP and evaluate curative effects and prognosis.