HRCT Chest Findings in Moderate to Severe Post Covid-19 Patients at 4 To 8 Weeks Follow Up

Abstract

Background and Aims: Though Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) is the confirmatory diagnostic test of COVID-19 disease, chest Computed Tomography (CT) also plays a crucial role, specially in severity assessment. Some previous studies suggest a risk of fibrotic consequences of COVID-19 disease but little is known yet. The present study aimed to explore the pattern of HRCT chest findings at 4-8 weeks follow-up of the patients recovered from COVID-19. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Dhaka Medical College Hospital. A total of 70 patients were included in this study according to exclusion and inclusion criteria. Informed written consent was taken from each patient. Data collection was done through a pre-structured questionnaire. Collected data were analyzed by using the statistical software SPSS 22. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 52.3 +/- 12.4 (SD) years with a majority in the age group 50-59 years (30%). Clear male predominance was observed (73%). HRCT chest during follow-up at 4 to 8 weeks showed 42.9% partial resolution, 31.4% complete resolution and 25.7% fibrotic changes. In order of frequency, ground-glass opacity (GGO) (65.7%), vascular dilatation (25.7%), consolidation (20%) etc. were the persistent radiological changes at 4 to 8 weeks follow up HRCT chest scan. The presence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, liver disease is significantly associated with fibrotic changes and failure to complete resolution. A more severe initial CT score was associated with persistent radiological changes at follow-up. Conclusion: Extensive study is recommended to validate the findings. J Dhaka Med Coll. 2025; 34(1) : 34-40