Radiological Society of North America Expert Consensus Document on Reporting
Chest CT Findings Related to COVID-19: Endorsed by the Society of Thoracic
Radiology, the American College of Radiology, and RSNA
#MMPMID33778571
Simpson S
; Kay FU
; Abbara S
; Bhalla S
; Chung JH
; Chung M
; Henry TS
; Kanne JP
; Kligerman S
; Ko JP
; Litt H
Radiol Cardiothorac Imaging
2020[Apr]; 2
(2
): e200152
PMID33778571
show ga
Routine screening CT for the identification of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19)
pneumonia is currently not recommended by most radiology societies. However, the
number of CT examinations performed in persons under investigation for COVID-19
has increased. We also anticipate that some patients will have incidentally
detected findings that could be attributable to COVID-19 pneumonia, requiring
radiologists to decide whether or not to mention COVID-19 specifically as a
differential diagnostic possibility. We aim to provide guidance to radiologists
in reporting CT findings potentially attributable to COVID-19 pneumonia,
including standardized language to reduce reporting variability when addressing
the possibility of COVID-19. When typical or indeterminate features of COVID-19
pneumonia are present in endemic areas as an incidental finding, we recommend
contacting the referring providers to discuss the likelihood of viral infection.
These incidental findings do not necessarily need to be reported as COVID-19
pneumonia. In this setting, using the term viral pneumonia can be a reasonable
and inclusive alternative. However, if one opts to use the term COVID-19 in the
incidental setting, consider the provided standardized reporting language. In
addition, practice patterns may vary, and this document is meant to serve as a
guide. Consultation with clinical colleagues at each institution is suggested to
establish a consensus reporting approach. The goal of this expert consensus is to
help radiologists recognize findings of COVID-19 pneumonia and aid their
communication with other health care providers, assisting management of patients
during this pandemic. Published under a CC BY 4.0 license.
free
free
free
