Predictors of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pneumonitis outcome based on computed tomography (CT) imaging obtained prior to hospitalization: a retrospective study

Mirza-Aghazadeh-Attari, Mohammad; Zarrintan, Armin; Nezami, Nariman; Mohammadi, Afshin; Zarrintan, Anita; Mohebbi, Iraj; Pirnejad, Habibollah; Khademvatani, Kamal; Ashkavand, Zahra; Forughi, Payman; Arasteh, Amin; Attari, Javad Aghazadeh

PURPOSE: Computed tomography (CT) has been utilized as a diagnostic modality in the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), while some studies have also suggested a prognostic role for it. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of computed tomography (CT) imaging in COVID-19 patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of fifty patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Twenty-seven patients survived, while 23 passed away. CT imaging was performed in all of the patients on the day of admission. Imaging findings were interpreted based on current guidelines by two expert radiologists. Imaging findings were compared between surviving and deceased patients. Lung scores were assigned to patients based on CT chest findings. Then, the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine cutoff values for lung scores. RESULTS: The common radiologic findings were ground-glass opacities (82%) and airspace consolidation (42%), respectively. Air bronchogram was more commonly seen in deceased patients (p = 0.04). Bilateral and multilobar involvement was more frequently found in deceased patients (p = 0.049 and 0.014, respectively). The mean number of involved lobes was 3.46 ± 1.80 lobes in surviving patients and 4.57 ± 0.60 lobes in the deceased patients (p = 0.009). The difference was statistically significant. The area under the curve for a lung score cutoff of 12 was 0.790. CONCLUSION: Air bronchogram and bilateral and multilobar involvement were more frequently seen in deceased patients and may suggest a poor outcome for COVID-19 pneumonia.