Scoping Review: Ultrasonographic evidence of intraabdominal manifestations of COVID-19 infection

Abstract

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus that in the majority of patients will only cause mild symptoms. The most common serious complication is COVID-19 pneumonia, however, gastrointestinal (GI) COV-ID-19 is also a frequent presentation and likely due to the high expression of the ACE2 receptor in the GI tract. As diagnostic ultrasound has been frequently used in the management of this patient cohort, we conducted a literature search with the aim to present and review the currently published evidence of using ultrasound examinations in the management of intraabdominal manifestations of COVID-19. Our analysis showed that sonographic abnormalities of the hepatobiliary system are the most commonly reported findings in adults, while gastrointestinal abnormalities are the most common findings in children. The most severe complications are related to thromboembolic complications in the intensive care unit.