Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus Infection: A Case Report of Serial Computed Tomographic Findings in a Young Male Patient

Abstract

Radiologic findings of Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), a novel coronavirus infection, have been rarely reported. We report a 30-year-old male presented with fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, who was diagnosed with MERS. A chest computed tomographic scan revealed rapidly developed multifocal nodular consolidations with ground-glass opacity halo and mixed consolidation, mainly in the dependent and peripheral areas. After treatment, follow-up imaging showed that these abnormalities markedly decreased but fibrotic changes developed.

Keywords: CT; Clinical course; Middle East respiratory syndrome; Radiograph; Serial imaging finding.

Fig. 1. 30-year-old male patient with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection.

A, B. Initial posteroanterior chest radiograph and abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan were performed in outside hospital on day of admission (6 days after onset of fever). Chest radiograph (A) shows patchy increased opacity (black arrow) in left lower lung zone, retrocardiac area. Axial CT scan (B) shows patchy area of consolidation with air-bronchogram in left lower lobe, which was mainly peripherally located (black arrow). C-E. Follow-up anteroposterior chest radiograph and chest CT scan were taken in outside hospital 4 days after admission (10 days after onset of fever). Chest radiograph (C) shows newly developed patchy area of ill-defined increased opacity in right upper lung zone (black arrowhead) and increased extent of consolidation in left lower lung zone (black arrow). Upper lung CT scan (D) shows multifocal patchy areas of consolidation (white arrows) with ground glass opacity (GGO) halo and nodular GGO lesions (black arrowheads) in both upper lobes, which were mainly slightly peripherally located. Lower lung CT scan (E) shows larger areas of mixed consolidations and GGOs with air-bronchograms (black arrows) in both lower lobes, mainly in dependent area and newly detected focal consolidation in lingular segment of left upper lobe (white arrow). F-H. Last follow-up anteroposterior chest radiograph and chest CT scan were performed on day of discharge (13 days after admission to our hospital; 23 days after onset of fever). Chest radiograph (F) depicts markedly decreased extent of previous consolidations in right upper and left lower lung zones but residual small increased opacity in right upper lung zone (black arrowhead) and left lower lung zone (black arrow). Upper lung CT scan (G) shows markedly reduced extent of previous multifocal patchy areas of consolidation and nodular ground-glass opacity (GGO) lesions in both upper lobes, but also demonstrates residual GGO lesions (black arrowheads). Lower lung CT scan (H) demonstrates markedly decreased extent of previous mixed consolidations and GGOs with air-bronchograms (black arrow), and developed traction bronchiectasis (white arrowheads) with volume loss in left lower lobe, which suggested fibrosis.