The Chest CT Features of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China: A Meta-analysis of 19 Trials

ObjectiveThis study aimed to summarize the characteristics of chest CT imaging in Chinese patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to provide reliable evidence for further guiding clinical routine. MethodsPubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were thoroughly searched to identified relevant articles involving the features of chest CT imaging in Chinese patients with COVID-19. All data were analyzed utilizing R software version i386 4.0.0. Random-effects models were employed to calculate pooled mean differences. Results19 trials incorporating 1332 cases were included in the study. The results demonstrated that the incidence of ground-glass opacities (GGO) was 0.79, consolidation was 0.34; mixed GGO and consolidation was 0.46; air bronchogram sign was 0.41; crazy paving pattern was 0.32; interlobular septal thickening was 0.55; reticulation was 0.30; bronchial wall thickening was 0.24; vascular enlargement was 0.74. subpleural linear opacity was 0.28; intrathoracic lymph node enlargement was 0.03; pleural effusions was 0.03. The distribution in lung: the incidence of central was 0.05; peripheral was 0.74; peripheral involving central was 0.38; diffuse was 0.19; unifocal involvement was 0.09; multifocal involvement was 0.57; unilateral was 0.16; bilateral was 0.83; The incidence of lobes involved (>2) was 0.70; lobes involved ([less double equals]2) was 0.35. ConclusionGGO, vascular enlargement, interlobular septal thickening more frequently occurred in patients with COVID-19. Peripheral, bilateral, involved lobes >2 might be the features of COVID-19 in the distribution aspect. Therefore, based on the aboved features of COVID-19 in chest CT imaging, it might be a promising means for identifying COVID-19.