Assessing microstructural and microvascular abnormalities in hospitalized COVID-19 patients using intravoxel incoherent motion imaging

Cerebral abnormalities are common in (severely affected) COVID-19 patients, although most reports only cover macrostructural abnormalities. Zooming in on microstructural abnormalities may better explain persisting COVID-19-related symptoms in COVID-19 survivors. Using intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging, this study explored potential differences in microstructural and microvascular diffusivity between COVID-19 patients. No differences were found between patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) (n=40) and general ward (n=38). However, increased disease severity in COVID-19 ICU patients was found to be associated with increased interstitial fluid content in the normal appearing white matter.