Question

1. COVID-19 is caused by the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and is closely related to SARS-CoV-1 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 1) and MERS-CoV (Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus). Imaging studies have shown that COVID-19 results in pneumonia with “ground-glass opacification, consolidation, bilateral involvement, and peripheral and diffuse distribution.” (Lee et al (2020); The Lancet, 20(4), 384).

• Ground-glass opacification:
• Consolidation:
• Bilateral involvement:
• Peripheral and diffuse distribution:

Answer 1

In the article, the terms are used to describe the result of the study conducted by Lee et al and other researchers.

CT ( Computerised Tomography): The diagnostic technique in which the computer is used to analyze and detect abnormalities in the organ without hurting them or opening them with the help of x-ray measurements.

1. Ground glass opacification (GGO): The radiological term from CT scan indicated to show that our lungs are not healthy. Basically when normal CT scans are taken then the area of lungs seems to appear black in color, but in COVID 19 patients the lungs were opaque and had clear light-grey patches which can also be seen in other medical conditions where lungs are abnormal/ sick. It is a hazy structure underneath which blood vessels and other minute details can be seen. They are not as solid as cancer nodules/tumors scans. Its relation is often understood as viral pneumonia and lung inflammation. It is one of the diagnostic technique which can confirm COVID 19. The nodular and peripheral ground-glass opacity can be one of the findings for COVID19 infection. But this does not mean if your lung scans are abnormal, then you are suffering from COVID 19, it may be some other medical condition. Also, many COVID 19 people too, do not have worse symptoms to have GGO.

Ground Glass Opacification( grey area). Source: Radiology Assistant website.

2. Consolidation: A white portion on the lung CT signifies that air in the lungs is replaced by something else, which may be pus, edema, blood, or tumor cells.

Consolidation (the white area), Source: Radiology Assistant website.

Cartoon representation of GGO and Consolidation. Source: Radiology Assistant website.

3. Bilateral involvement:  The condition in which lobes of both the lungs are affected due to pneumonia which may prove fatal.

4. Peripheral and diffuse distribution: The progression of the abnormal conditions occur in the peripheral part in the sub-pleural region in a diffused pattern.

So, certain clinical findings in the lungs were considered as one of the major confirmations for COVID19 infection, but not in all individuals. But they suggested going through a check once you observe minor symptoms. And these radiological findings by CT mostly focus on pneumonia which seems to be one of the common aspects in SARS COV1 and MERS virus.

Hope this helps!