Abstract:

Objective: To analyze the CT features of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus （2019-nCoV） pneumonia, and explore the value of CT examination in the diagnosis. Methods: The clinical data of patients with fever and 2019-nCoV detected by real-time fluorescence RT-PCR from January 20 through February 10, 2020 were retrieved and imaging findings on CT were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Of all 12 patients with 2019-nCoV pneumonia, all had pulmonary infiltrations, involving multiple lung lobes and segments. Lesions on CT image showed GGO in all patients (12/12), predominantly located in the peripheral zone, with local reticular pattern within GGO and air bronchogram identified in 10 and 9 cases respectively. The patchy consolidation accompanying GGO presented in 8 cases. The lymphadenopathy and pleural effusion, however, were absent in all patients. Conclusion: For patients with novel coronavirus pneumonia within the first week of illness, the multifocal and patchy peripheral pure GGO, predominantly in the lower lung,is the most common findings on CT images. The extensive GGO with mild consolidation on CT scans is highly suspicious of 2019-nCoV infection and may prompt early treatment and prompt isolation in early outbreak.

Key words: Novel coronavirus, Viral pneumonia, Computed tomography, Ground glass opacity