Clinical features and radiological manifestations of COVID-19 disease

• Published in: World journal of radiology Vol. 12; no. 11; pp. 247 - 260
• Main Authors: Landete, Pedro, Quezada Loaiza, Carlos Andrés, Aldave-Orzaiz, Beatriz, Muñiz, Susana Hernández, Maldonado, Antonio, Zamora, Enrique, Sam Cerna, Allan Charles, Del Cerro, Elia, Alonso, Raquel Cano, Couñago, Felipe
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Baishideng Publishing Group Inc 28-11-2020
• Subjects: Minireviews; COVID-19; Clinical features; Coronavirus; Pathogenesis; Natural history; Radiology images
• DOI: 10.4329/wjr.v12.i11.247
• EISSN: 1949-8470

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was discovered after unusual cases of severe pneumonia emerged in December 2019 in Wuhan Province (China). Coronavirus is a family of single-stranded RNA viruses. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted from person to person. Although asymptomatic individuals can transmit the virus, symptomatic patients are more contagious. The incubation period ranges from 3-7 d and symptoms are mainly respiratory, including pneumonia or pulmonary embolism in severe cases. Elevated serum levels of interleukins (IL)-2, IL-6, IL-7 indicate the presence of cytokine release syndrome, which is associated with disease severity. The disease has three main phases: Viral infection, pulmonary involvement, and hyperinflammation. To date, no treatment has proved to be safe or effective. Chest X-ray and computed tomography (CT) are the primary imaging tests for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, follow-up, and detection of complications. The main radiological findings are ground-glass opacification and areas of consolidation. The long-term clinical course is unknown, although some patients may develop pulmonary fibrosis. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) is useful to assess pulmonary involvement, to define the affected areas, and to assess treatment response. The pathophysiology and clinical course of COVID-19 infection remain poorly understood. However, patterns detected on CT and PET-CT may help to diagnose and guide treatment. In this mini review, we analyze the clinical manifestations and radiological findings of COVID-19 infection.