Evaluating Acute Pulmonary Changes in Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Comparative Analysis of Computed Tomography, Chest Radiography, Lung Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Positron Emission Tomography with Fluorodeoxyglucose Modalities

Ian Griffin; Ronak Kundalia; Bruce Steinberg; Joice Prodigios; Nupur Verma; Bruno Hochhegger; Tan L Mohammed

doi:10.1053/j.sult.2024.02.007

Evaluating Acute Pulmonary Changes in Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Comparative Analysis of Computed Tomography, Chest Radiography, Lung Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Positron Emission Tomography with Fluorodeoxyglucose Modalities

Semin Ultrasound CT MR. 2024 Feb 28:S0887-2171(24)00014-3. doi: 10.1053/j.sult.2024.02.007. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Ian Griffin¹, Ronak Kundalia², Bruce Steinberg², Joice Prodigios³, Nupur Verma⁴, Bruno Hochhegger⁵, Tan L Mohammed⁶

Affiliations

¹ College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL. Electronic address: ian.griffin@ufl.edu.
² College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
³ Department of Radiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
⁴ Department of Radiology, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, MA.
⁵ College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL; Department of Radiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
⁶ Department of Radiology, New York University, New York, NY.

PMID: 38428620
DOI: 10.1053/j.sult.2024.02.007

Abstract

This review explores imaging's crucial role in acute Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) assessment. High Resolution Computer Tomography is especially effective in detection of lung abnormalities. Chest radiography has limited utility in the initial stages of COVID-19 infection. Lung Ultrasound has emerged as a valuable, radiation-free tool in critical care, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging shows promise as a Computed Tomography alternative. Typical and atypical findings of COVID-19 by each of these modalities are discussed with emphasis on their prognostic value. Considerations for pediatric and immunocompromised cases are outlined. A comprehensive diagnostic approach is recommended, as radiological diagnosis remains challenging in the acute phase.