Increased Incidence of Ground Glass Opacification on CT-Thorax During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Title: Increased Incidence of Ground Glass Opacification on CT-Thorax During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
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.