Table 4.
Chest CT findings of COVID-19 pneumonia.
| Chest CT imaging features | Definition | Severity grades |
|---|---|---|
| Ground glass opacities (GGO) +/− consolidation | An area of hazy elevated lung opacity | +++++ |
| Multiple lesions | Damage or abnormal changes in a different area | ++++ |
| Bilateral distribution | Two sides distribution of GGO | ++++ |
| Posterior part/lower lobe predilection | Dorsal part/lower lobe predilection | ++++ |
| Pure consolidation | Replacement of air in the alveoli by different matters (e.g., cells, blood, and pus) | ++++ |
| Peripheral/subpleural distribution | Peripherally and subpleural distributed multifocal GGOs | +++ |
| Crazy-paving pattern | A linear pattern superimposed on a background of GGO | +++ |
| Reticular pattern | Presence of countless lines, either due to fibrosis or thickening of the interlobular septa | ++ |
| Pleural thickening | Extensive scarring thickens the pleura | ++ |
| Bronchial wall thickening | Damage of the bronchial wall | ++ |
| Bronchiectasis | Lungs become abnormally enlarged | ++ |
| Nodules | Irregular or rounded opacity (any space-occupying lesion in single or multiple forms) | + |
| Pleural effusion | Fluid on the pleural cavity | + |
| Subpleural curvilinear line | A thin curvilinear opacity (1–3 mm), located in the subpleural area and having a parallel distribution over the pleural surface | + |
| Fibrosis | The alveoli become stiff and scarred | + |
| Mediastinal lymphadenopathy | Mediastinal lymph node enlargement | Rare |
| Pericardial effusion | An abnormal levels of fluid in the pericardial space | Rare |
| Halo sign | Pulmonary nodules surrounded by ground glass | Very rare |
| Cavitation | A gas-filled spaces | Absent |
| Calcification | Deposition of calcium salt | Absent |