COVID-19 pneumonia imaging follow-up: when and how? A proposition from ESTI and ESR
Katharina Martini, Anna Rita Larici, Marie-Pierre Revel, Benoît Ghaye, Nicola Sverzellati, Anagha P. Parkar, Annemiek Snoeckx, N. Screaton, J. Biederer, Helmut Prosch, Mario Silva, Adrian P. Brady, Fergus Gleeson, Thomas Frauenfelder, On behalf of the European Society of Thoracic Imaging (ESTI), the European Society of Radiology (ESR)
Abstract
This document from the European Society of Thoracic Imaging (ESTI) and the European Society of Radiology (ESR) discusses the role of imaging in the long-term follow-up of COVID-19 patients, to define which patients may benefit from imaging, and what imaging modalities and protocols should be used. Insights into imaging features encountered on computed tomography (CT) scans and potential pitfalls are discussed and possible areas for future review and research are also included. KEY POINTS: • Post-COVID-19 pneumonia changes are mainly consistent with prior organizing pneumonia and are likely to disappear within 12 months of recovery from the acute infection in the majority of patients. • At present, with the longest series of follow-up examinations reported not exceeding 12 months, the development of persistent or progressive fibrosis in at least some individuals cannot yet be excluded. • Residual ground glass opacification may be associated with persisting bronchial dilatation and distortion, and might be termed "fibrotic-like changes" probably consistent with prior organizing pneumonia.