The Evaluation of Correlation between Clinical Characteristics and Chest CT Findings in Recovered and Dead COVID-19 Patients

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively investigate the correlation between clinical characteristics and chest CT findings in recovered and dead covid-19 patients. Patients: In this retrospective study, 63 hospitalized patients infected with COVID-19 were reviewed, from 1 May 2020 to 30 Dec 2020. The lobe involvement and infection pattern were evaluated in both groups. A semi-quantitative CT score was calculated based on the extent of lobar involvement (0 indicate no involvement; 1, less than 5% involvement; 2, 5-25% involvement; 3, 26%–50% involvement; 4, 51%–75% involvement; and 5, 76%–100% involvement. Results: In the recovered group, 16 (30.76%) had opacities in two lobes, 10 (19.23%) in three lobes, 20 (38.46%) in four lobes, and 16 (30.76%) in all five lobes. While, in the dead group just four (7, 63.63%) and five (4, 36.36%) affected lobes were shown. The most hallmarks of COVID-19 infection on chest CT images of recovered patients were ground-glass opacities, GGO, (26.92%), consolidation (17.30%), GGO & Consolidation predominance, MIX, (42.30%), and crazy paving (CP) patterns (13.46%). Intubation was performed for 16 patients to be recovered. While in the dead patients the lung infection was completely the MIX pattern (100%) and all of them were intubated. CT score was calculated significantly higher in dead patients than recovered patients (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Our data suggest the potential role of chest CT for predicting the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 patients. According to CT results, patients with more lung involvement, the MIX pattern, and higher CT score in lung infection had less chance for recovery.