Comparison between abdominal CT findings in intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU patients with Covid-19: experience from a tertiary care hospital.

Background: 16-66% of COVID-19 positive patients may have abdominal symptoms and findings in abdominal CT. The yield of abdominal CT scan in patients having abdominal complaints is not known.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the various abdominal imaging manifestations of COVID-19 and COVID-19 associated Mucormycosis (CAM) and to identify the relevant clinical and laboratory features associated with severity of the symptoms.

Methods: A retrospective single centre observational study was performed at a tertiary care hospital in Northwest India. All consecutive patients who had COVID positive RT-PCR report and had undergone abdominal Computed Tomography scan from March 2020 to November 2021 for various abdominal complaints were included. Demographic data, CT images and reports and all relevant lab parameters were collected.

Results: Out of 75 patients, positive abdominal findings were seen in 65 patients. Hepatobiliary findings were seen in 41.3% (31 of 75; OR=1.9) and bowel abnormalities were found in 37.3% (28 of 75; OR=2.1) of COVID-19 patients. 7 patients who had renal infarcts or bowel ischemia were found to have COVID-19 associated Mucormycosis on histopathology.

Conclusion: Chest CT severity score was positively correlated with most of the abdominal manifestations in patients requiring ICU admission. Elevated D-dimer levels were significantly associated with abdominal symptoms.