What covid-19 brings with: incidental solitary pulmonary nodules

Abstract

Background: Thoracic computed tomography (CT) scans for preliminary diagnosis of COVID-19 can be used as a tool to detect solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated the thoracic CT reports of 5416 patients, aged 45-75, who presented to our hospital with a preliminary diagnosis of COVID-19 in 2020. Results: Pulmonary nodules/masses were detected in 85 patients. 56 of these were male, and 29 female. 63 patients (74%) had SPNs, 11 (13%) masses, and 11 (13%) multiple nodules. 5 patients were in follow-up for malignancy, and 21 (21%) arrived for follow-up after the detection of nodule/mass. 11 patients died due to pulmonary pathologies. Conclusions: COVID-19-related concerns have seriously disrupted the follow-up of pulmonary nodules. However, the widespread use of CT serves as a kind of lung cancer screening.