Computed tomography diagnosis of the first confirmed case of new coronavirus (COVID-19) infection in Mongolia

Abstract

Chest CT is used to assess the severity of lung involvement in COVID-19 pneumonia. We aimed to determine the change in chest CT findings associated with COVID-19 pneumonia from initial diagnosis until patient recovery. This retrospective review included patients with RT-PCR confirmed COVID-19 infection. Patients with severe respiratory distress and or oxygen requirement at any time during the disease course were excluded. Repeat Chest CT was obtained at approximately 7 day intervals. In patients recovering from COVID-19 infection, four stages of evolution on chest CT were identified: early stage (0-4 days); progressive stage (5-8 days); peak stage (10-13 days); and absorption stage (≥14 days). Chest CT scans show signs of opacity, infiltration, and pleural thickening during coronavirus infection.