Lung scarring occurs in up to 11% of patients recovered from COVID, regardless of infection severity

Patient with severe, lung damage from COVID. Images in a 54-year-old man with COVID-19–related acute respiratory distress syndrome and subsequent fibrosis. (A) Axial CT 2 weeks after admission shows diffuse ground-glass opacity (GGO) with reticular abnormality and traction bronchiectasis in right middle lobe, indicating organizing phase of lung injury. (B) Axial CT 6 months after admission shows decreased GGO but extensive traction bronchiectasis and architectural distortion, suggesting fibrosis. RSNA

Patient with severe, long-term lung damage from COVID. Images in a 54-year-old man with COVID-19–related acute respiratory distress syndrome and subsequent fibrosis. (A) Axial CT 2 weeks after admission shows diffuse ground-glass opacity (GGO) with reticular abnormality and traction bronchiectasis in right middle lobe, indicating organizing phase of lung injury. (B) Axial CT 6 months after admission shows decreased GGO but extensive traction bronchiectasis and architectural distortion, suggesting fibrosis. Patient remained symptomatic with restricted pulmonary function. Image courtesy of RSNA. Read more. Read more.

Researchers cannot yet determine whether these changes will progress or resolve in the long term.

'Crash course' on COVID cases benefits residents less experienced with thoracic CT

Lung CT of a 42-year-old man with more than 7 days of symptoms. Scans show COVID pneumonia with diffuse ground-glass opacities in close vicinity of visceral pleural surfaces. In addition, a crazy paving pattern is observed. Image courtesy of RSNA. Medical images of COVID. #COVID #SARS-CoV-2

Lung CT of a 42-year-old man with more than 7 days of symptoms. Scans show COVID pneumonia with diffuse ground-glass opacities in close vicinity of visceral pleural surfaces. In addition, a crazy paving pattern is observed. Image courtesy of RSNA. Read more.

Following the course, experts observed nearly perfect agreement between less experienced residents and chest-devoted radiologists.