Chest Imaging in Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19)

Abstract

Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), a highly contagious viral disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) affects many organ systems causing a vast range of clinical manifestations. However, involvement of lungs is the most common manifestation and is the main cause of mortality. Detection of viral nucleic acid in the respiratory secretions is the corner stone of the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection; however, imaging plays a critical role in clinching diagnosis of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) negative cases and those with atypical presentation. More importantly imaging has a pivotal role in the detection of complications and their appropriate management. Chest radiography, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) all have a role in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia and detection of various thoracic complications related to this disease. This chapter comprehensively discusses the thoracic manifestations of COVID-19 and the role of imaging in their diagnosis and effective management.