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Value Of High-Resolution Computed Tomography in the Differential Diagnosis of Imported COVID-19 and Seasonal Influenza Pneumonia

Document Type : Research articles

Authors

1 Radiology Department, Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China

2 Radiology Department, Central People's Hospital of Zhanjiang, Zhanjiang, Guangdong, China

3 Clinical Research Center,Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University, 57 South Renming Rd., Xiashan District, Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province,524001, China

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, the world is facing COVID-19 pandemic, and seasonal influenza is also sweeping the world. Therefore, it is essential to make an early differential diagnosis between imported COVID-19 and seasonal influenza pneumonia.
Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the diagnostic value of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) imaging characteristics for imported coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and seasonal influenza pneumonia.
Methods: The HRCT imaging features with 22 cases of imported COVID-19 and 39 cases of seasonal influenza pneumonia were retrospectively analyzed in the current study. The patients with COVID-19 or influenza were diagnosed according to the World Health Organization guidelines and were confirmed following positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) analysis of respiratory secretion samples. 
Results: Both imported COVID-19 and influenza demonstrated multiple lesions. In the former, the lesions were mostly distributed in the subpleural of peripheral lung (90.9%), and some of them showed an anti-butterfly wing sign (18.2%; P<0.05). In the latter, the lesions were distributed around the bronchial vascular tree with subpleural lesions in peripheral lung (33.3%); nonetheless, they were fewer than those observed in the former (P<0.05). There were some differences in ground-glass opacity (GGO) (95.5% vs. 66.7%, respectively, P<0.05), consolidation (68.2% vs. 12.8%, respectively, P<0.05), and crazy paving sign (86.4% vs. 10.3%, respectively, P<0.05). The air bronchogram sign in the former appeared earlier than those in the latter. When both GGO lesions were mixed, the latter had more solid areas and higher density.
Conclusions: The different chest HRCT features of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza pneumonia can provide considerable evidence for the early diagnosis of imported COVID-19 and seasonal influenza pneumonia and can be of great help for the prevention and control of COVID-19.

Keywords

References
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Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal (IRCMJ)
Volume 22, Issue 9 - Serial Number 9
2020
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History
  • Receive Date: 10 September 2020
  • Revise Date: 27 May 2024
  • Accept Date: 27 January 2024
  • First Publish Date: 27 January 2024
  • Publish Date: 01 September 2020
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