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Copyright ©The Author(s) 2021.
World J Radiol. Jun 28, 2021; 13(6): 149-156
Published online Jun 28, 2021. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v13.i6.149
Table 1 Findings of thoracic imaging tools in coronavirus disease 2019 survivors
Thoracic imaging tools
Imaging findings in COVID-19 survivors
Chest X-ray (CXR)(1) CRX does not correlate with abnormal CT findings or prolonged functional disability in infected patients; (2) Changes in CXR findings are associated with recovery duration and severity of COVID-19; and (3) The overall effectiveness of CRX is uncertain
CT scan(1) Abnormal CT findings were detected in 71% of COVID-19 survivors; Unresolved lung tissue pathology presents mainly in the form of residual GGO; and (2) CT findings show a significant correlation with disease severity
Lung ultrasound (LUS)(1) LUS findings correlate with chest CT and accurately assess the resolution of residual lung tissue abnormalities; and (2) LUS findings correlate with the duration of COVID-19 symptoms in COVID-19 survivors and can be used in home settings
MRI(1) This is used to assess cardiac involvement in patients recovered from COVID-19; (2) 58% of recovered patients had abnormal MRI findings, including myocardial oedema (54%) and late gadolinium enhancement (31%); and (3) Fibrosis and compromised right ventricle function have also been found in patients who have recovered from COVID-19
COVID-19: Coronavirus disease 2019; CT: Computed tomography; MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; GGO: Ground-glass opacity.