Table 3.
Intrathoracic complications found on CT and CXR in patients testing positive for SARS-CoV-2
| Complication n (%) |
Initial CXR (n = 976) |
Any CXR (n = 976) |
Chest CT (n = 88) |
Chest CT or CXRb (n = 976) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Any complication | – | – | – | 197 (20%) |
| Pneumothorax | 3 (0.3%) | 28 (3%) | 7 (8%) | 30 (3%) |
| Loculated | 2 (0.2%) | 9 (32%) | 3 (43%) | 11 (1%) |
| Bilateral | – | – | 2 (29%) | – |
| Chest tube | 0 | 21 (2%) | 5 (6%) | 22 (2%) |
| Pneumomediastinum | 2 (0.2%) | 15 (2%) | 3 (3%) | 16 (2%) |
| Pneumopericardium | 0 | 3 (0.3%) | 0 (0%) | 3 (0.3%) |
| Subcutaneous emphysema | 0 | 14 (1%) | 2 (2%) | 15 (2%) |
| Lobar collapse | 2 (0.2%) | 26 (3%) | 2 (2%) | 27 (3%) |
| + mucoid impaction? | – | – | 1 (50%) | – |
| + tracheal thickening? | – | – | 0 (0%) | – |
| + bronchial thickening? | – | – | 0 (0%) | – |
| Pleural effusion | 51 (5%) | 149 (15%) | 31 (35%) | 168 (17%) |
| + loculated | – | – | 8 (9%) | – |
| + pleural thickening or enhancement | – | – | 2 (2%)a | – |
| Cavity | – | – | 9 (10%) | – |
| Air only | – | – | 6 (67%) | – |
| Fluid level | – | – | 3 (33%) | – |
a
Pleural enhancement could not be assessed in the 23 patients with non-contrast CT scans.
b
Complication was deemed present if identified on either any CXR or CT obtained during the patient's ED visit or hospitalization.