Abstract
Objective: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the healthy and infected area volumes and elementary lesion characteristics in thorax computed tomography examinations of mild-moderate and severe patient groups according to the clinical severity scoring determined by the World Health Organization, and to compare the obtained findings with laboratory and clinical data.
Material and Methods: A total of 100 cases (59 males, 41 females; age range 18-95 years) were retrospectively and randomly selected from the patients who had non-contrast thoracic computed tomography scan and were diagnosed with Covid-19 pneumonia by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test. According to clinical severity scoring, patients were classified as mild-moderate and severe groups. Volumetric measurements were made in the lungs using quantitative analyses. In addition, lesion characteristics (ground glass opacity, consolidation, air bronchogram) in the infiltration areas were recorded. The relationship between radiological findings and clinical-laboratory data was statistically evaluated.
Results: The age of the patients ranged between 58.80±14.74 years; 52% of the cases were in the severe category, 48% of them were in the mild-moderate category. Lung volumes did not differ significantly between disease groups. According to computed tomography findings, there was a statistically significant correlation between subpleural reticulations and air bronchogram and disease groups. IL-6, D-dimer, ferritin, neutrophil lymphocyte ratio and C-Reactive Protein values were higher in the severe disease group than in the mild-moderate group.
Conclusion: Volumetric values associated with laboratory parameters are thought to be an important indicator of the immune response that determines the course of the disease.