Case Report

Volume: 5 | Issue: 2 | Published: Feb 15, 2021 | Pages: 51 - 54 | DOI: 10.24911/ejmcr/173-1598358984

Gastrointestinal symptoms as an indicator of progression of pulmonary involvement in patients with COVID-19


Authors: Erman Altunisik , Ali Haydar Baykan , Hakan Sezgin Sayiner , Mehmet Sukru Erturk


Article Info

Authors

Erman Altunisik

Department of Neurology, Adiyaman University Faculty of Medicine, Adiyaman, Turkey

Ali Haydar Baykan

Department of Radiology, Adiyaman University Faculty of Medicine, Adiyaman, Turkey

Hakan Sezgin Sayiner

Department of Infectious Diseases, Adiyaman University Faculty of Medicine, Adiyaman, Turkey

Mehmet Sukru Erturk

Department of Radiology, Istanbul University Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey

Publication History

Received: September 02, 2020

Accepted: January 02, 2021

Published: February 15, 2021


Abstract


Background: While the patients with coronavirus disease 2019 typically present with respiratory illness, some patients also report gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. In this case study, four different cases with the progression of pulmonary computed tomography (CT) findings following the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms are presented. Case presentation: Case 1, A 37-year-old male patient presented with fever, cough, fatigue, muscle and joint pain. On the fifth day of treatment, gastrointestinal symptoms including anorexia, nausea and vomiting were observed. A follow-up chest CT revealed progression in pulmonary involvement. Case 2, A 46-year-old male patient presented with fever, shortness of breath, muscle and joint pain. On the fourth day of treatment, gastrointestinal symptoms including anorexia, nausea and vomiting were observed. A follow-up chest CT revealed progression of pulmonary findings in both lungs. Case 3, A 50-year-old male presented with no symptoms other than dry cough. On the fourth day of treatment, gastrointestinal symptoms including anorexia, nausea and vomiting were observed. A follow-up chest CT revealed bilateral peripherally ground-glass and consolidation areas. Case 4, A 34-year-old female patient presented with fever, cough, fatigue, muscle and joint pain. On the third day of the treatment, gastrointestinal symptoms including anorexia, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea were observed. A follow-up chest CT revealed bilateral progression of pulmonary findings. Conclusion: Many studies reported that patients with gastrointestinal symptoms have a more serious clinical course than patients without these symptoms. No study has yet been presented to the literature in which this clinical situation is supported by radiological findings.

Keywords: COVID-19, pulmonary, chest, computed tomography, ground glass, green