Asymptomatic novel coronavirus pneumonia patient outside Wuhan: The value of CT images in the course of the disease

Abstract

The purpose of this case report is to describe the imaging and associated clinical features of an asymptomatic novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) patient outside Wuhan, China. The principle findings are that in this patient with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, CT findings preceded symptoms and included bilateral pleural effusions, previously not reported in association with COVID-19. The role of this case report is promotion of potential recognition amongst radiologists of this new disease, which has been declared a global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Keywords: 2019-nCoV; COVID-19; Ground glass opacities; Novel coronavirus pneumonia; Pleural effusion.

Fig. 1

Unenhanced CT images: A, B, Images shows ground glass opacities in right lung. C, D, Images obtained 2 days later shows progressive ground-glass opacities with small areas of consolidation in the center. E, On the sixth day, images show the quantity, range and density of lesions in the right lung increased further. F, G, H, Images obtained on the 9th day demonstrate that lesions progressed further and involved both lungs, with thickened interlobular septa around the lesion in the upper lobe of the right lung, and the appearance of small bilateral pleural effusions.

Fig. 2

Unenhanced CT images from the 23rd day of admission demonstrate: A, B, Resolution of bilateral pleural effusions and improvement of bilateral pulmonary lesions.