Thorax Computed Tomography Severity Score and Outcome in COVID-19 Patients

Initial Thoracic CT Findings and Mechanical Ventilation Requirement in Patients Admitted to Intensive Care Unit With COVID-19

The most common thorax Computed tomography (CT) findings are multifocal ground-glass opacities and peripheral consolidation in patients with COVID-19. Septal thickening, bronchiectasis, pleural thickening, and subpleural involvement may also be observed. Although these findings are not specific to COVID-19, the severity of pulmonary involvement is expected to be correlated with thorax CT findings.

Thorax computed tomography severity score defined by Yang et al. can be used to evaluate the severity of pulmonary involvement in COVID-19 patients. We aimed to investigate whether the initial thorax computed tomography severity score can predict mechanical ventilation requirement and mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age ≥ 18 years
• COVID-19 confirmed by positive RT-PCR and/or antibody testing
• CT scan at intensive care unit admission

Exclusion Criteria:

• Loss of CT data
• Chronic lung disease findings by CT that may lead to misinterpretation
• RT-PCR results unavailable or negative
• Terminal cancer