Abdominal Imaging Findings in Patients with COVID-19 Part 2: Solid Organs

• Published in: Middle East journal of digestive diseases Vol. 14; no. 4; pp. 373 - 381
• Main Authors: Shokri Varniab, Zahra, Pourabhari Langroudi, Ashkan, Amouei, Mehrnam, Pak, Neda, Khosravi, Bardia, Radmard, Amir Reza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Iran Shiraz University of Medical Sciences 01-10-2022; Iranian Association of Gastroerterology and Hepatology
• Subjects: Abdomen; COVID-19; COVID-19 diagnostic tests; Edema; Gallbladder; Gallbladder diseases; Gallstones; Infections; Inflammation; Kidneys; Liver; Pain; Pancreas; Pancreatitis; Pneumonia; Review; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Spleen; Thrombosis; Tomography; Ultrasonic imaging; China; COVID-19; Computed tomography; Abdominal; Imaging; Ultrasonography
• ISSN: 2008-5230; 2008-5249
• DOI: 10.34172/mejdd.2022.298

Since severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) first appeared in China in December 2019, the globe has been dealing with an ever-increasing incidence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In addition to respiratory disorders, 40% of patients present with gastrointestinal (GI) involvement. Abdominal pain is the most common indication for computed tomography (CT) and ultrasonography. After GI tract involvement, solid visceral organ infarction is the most prevalent abdominal abnormality in COVID-19. This review aims to gather the available data in the literature about imaging features of solid abdominal organs in patients with COVID-19. Gallbladder wall thickening and distension, cholelithiasis, hyperdense biliary sludge, acalculous cholecystitis, periportal edema, heterogeneous liver enhancement, and liver hypodensity and infarction are among hepatobiliary imaging findings in CT, particularly in patients admitted to ICU. Pancreatic involvement can develop as a result of direct SARS-CoV2 invasion with signs of acute pancreatitis in abdominal CT, such as edema and inflammation of the pancreas. Infarction was the most prevalent renal and splenic involvement in patients with COVID-19 who underwent abdominal CT presenting with areas of parenchymal hypodensity. In conclusion, although solid abdominal organs are rarely affected by COVID-19, clinicians must be familiar with the manifestations since they are associated with the disease severity and poor outcome.