Pancreatic Injury in Patients with SARS-Cov-2 (COVID-19) Infection: A Retrospective Analysis of CT Findings
Abstrakt
Objective. To determine the association between COVID-19 infection and peripancreatic changes on CT as a sign of acute pancreatic injury.
Methods. Retrospective analysis of CT examinations in patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection yielded 103 instances.
An age- and gender-matched cohort of patients without COVID-19 was found. CT examinations were evaluated for peripancreatic stranding or edema, fluid collection, or necrosis, without any other explanation.
Depicted pulmonary parenchyma was evaluated for possible COVID-19-related changes. Clinical and laboratory data were retrieved from the clinical database.
Results. Peripancreatic fat stranding (n = 8) or fluid collection (n = 2) without any other cause was found in 10 (10%) patients.
Abdominal complaints were reported in 4 (40%) patients. Elevated serum amylase or lipase levels were documented in 5 (50%) patients who also satisfied the diagnostic criteria for acute pancreatitis.
From the study sample of 103 patients with COVID-19, pulmonary parenchyma was depicted in 102 (99%), and from these, 57 (55%) had an evidence of pulmonary changes compatible with COVID-19 pneumonia. This proportion was not significantly different between patients with and without peripancreatic changes (p = 0:35).
In the matched cohort, we found peripancreatic changes in 2 (2%, p = 0:033) patients. Patients with pancreatic injury and elevated amylase levels were more likely to require orotracheal intubation (35% vs. 12%, p = 0:021).
Conclusions. We showed that the prevalence of peripancreatic stranding or fluid collection is higher in patients diagnosed with COVID-19 infection compared to an age- and gender-matched cohort.
Patients with pancreatic injury and elevated amylase levels are more likely to require orotracheal intubation. Our findings corroborate the link between COVID-19 infection and pancreatic injury from the perspective of imaging.