| Title: | Increased Incidence of Ground Glass Opacification on CT-Thorax During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic |
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| Author(s): | G O’Dea D Parfrey J McDonnell I Counihan T Hassan |
| Institution: | Respiratory Department, Our Lady of Lourdes (OLOL) Hospital, Drogheda |
| Poster: | Click to view poster |
| Category: | COVID-19 |
| Abstract: | Introduction Ground glass opacification (GGO) is a radiological sign associated with various lung pathologies, which has recently been described in SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infection. Methods We studied the incidence of new GGO on CT-Thorax during a period of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in OLOL Hospital between 29 February and 31 July 2020 and examined interval radiology. Results During the study period, 64 GGOs were reported on CT-Thorax, compared to 29 in the previous year (increase of 121%, p <0.01). SARS-CoV-2 PCR was detected in 33 cases (51.6%), while 20 cases were highly suspicious for SARS-CoV-2 despite undetectable PCR (31.3%). Remaining cases of GGO included decompensated heart failure (ADHF; 3), pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP; 2), amiodarone-induced pneumonitis (1) and acute interstitial pneumonitis (AIP; 1). Discussion Although PCR testing is the gold standard in diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 respiratory infection, CT-thorax findings including GGO are sensitive and are often seen before PCR detection. Our data shows that the incidence of GGO increased by 3-fold during the pandemic, suggesting that GGO is more sensitive than PCR testing but that other acute respiratory pathologies should be considered. |
