CHEST X-RAY FINDINGS IN COVID-19 PNEUMONIA: A PICTORIAL REVIEW

Abstract

Corona Virus Disease 19 or COVID-19, was first detected in Wuhan province in China in December 2019 and reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 31, 2019 [1]. It was declared a pandemic on March 11th, 2020 [2] and has till now affected 40 million people all around the world resulting in 1.1 million deaths (as of 18th Oct, 2020) [3]. As the world is reeling under the burden of the disease, it has been imperative for the radiologists to be familiar with the imaging appearance of the disease. Thoracic imaging with chest X-ray and CT is the key modality for the diagnosis and management of respiratory diseases. Although CT is more sensitive, the immense challenge of disinfection control in the modality may disrupt the service availability and portable X-ray may be considered to minimize the risk [4]. Use of portable X-ray has played a vital role in all the areas around the world during this pandemic. The purpose of this pictorial review is to represent the frequently encountered features and abnormalities in chest X-ray and strengthen the knowledge of the health-care workers in this war against the pandemic.