Dynamics of changes in the acute period and long-term results of chest CT in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia

To demonstrate chest CT changes during the dynamic observation of patients with severe viral COVID-19 pneumonia in the acute period and 6 months after recovery. Materials and methods. We present a clinical experience and follow-up of two patients with severe bilateral viral COVID-19 pneumonia, using chest computed tomography (CT) in the acute period and 6 months after recovery. Series of chest computer tomograms were analyzed in dynamics. CT was performed using a low-dose protocol on a Toshiba Aquilion ONE tomograph. Total patient radiation dose was less than 6.2 mSv, with an average of 1.5-1.6 mSv per study. Results. The ability of monitoring of chest CT indicators is demonstrated for making the choice of therapy in the acute period, as well as to assess the long-term consequences 6 months after recovery. The dynamic of CT patterns was studied depending on the stage of the course and results of treatment of viral pneumonia. Differences of outcomes are shown on patients with a similar clinical course of the disease six months after the same type of treatment. Conclusion. CT diagnostics for coronavirus infection helps not only in making an accurate diagnosis, but is also necessary in dynamic for monitoring the clinical course and evaluating residual changes after viral pneumonia