RADIOLOGIC PRESENTATION OF LUNG COMPLICATIONS IN COVID-19 PATIENTS AND THEIR DIFFERENTIATION

Abstract

Covid-19 is a contagious acute viral disease which mostly affects the lungs. It is caused by the new variety SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2). It was detected for the first time in 2019, while in March 2020 it was declared a pandemic by WHO (World Health Organization). The pandemic lasted for three years. The most common way of transmission is directly by airborne particles through coughing, sneezing, talking and breathing. The clinical image is general signs and symptoms (fatigue, fever, headache, muscle and body aches) as well as specific signs and symptoms such as: throat pain, dry cough, loss of smell/ taste, gastrointestinal implications mostly in children, as well as typical signs and symptoms arising from the above mentioned complications. The first and mostly affected organ in Covid-19 patients is the lungs. Pneumonia, pleuropneumonia, pleuritis and bronchopneumonia are some of the lung complications in Covid-19 patients. The radiological presentation in Covid-19 patients with or without complications is atypical and distinctive. The X-ray is a secondary diagnostic method because of the X-ray exposure, however in the patients with lung complications this is the first and basic choice of differentiation.