Review finds almost 20 percent of COVID-19 patients only show
gastrointestinal symptoms
Radiologists encouraged to remain watchful for signs of the virus

Date:
November 3, 2020
Source:
University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry
Summary:
Almost one in five patients with COVID-19 may only show
gastrointestinal symptoms, according to a review of academic
studies. The findings of the review suggest abdominal radiologists
need to remain vigilant during the pandemic while imaging patients.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== Almost one in five patients with COVID-19 may only show gastrointestinal symptoms, according to a review of academic studies published in the
journal Abdominal Radiology. The findings of the review suggest abdominal radiologists need to remain vigilant during the pandemic while imaging patients.


========================================================================== Gastrointestinal symptoms associated with COVID-19 vary widely but can
include loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and generalized
abdominal pain.

The researchers who conducted the review report that 18 per cent of
patients presented with such symptoms, while 16 per cent of COVID-19
cases may only present with gastrointestinal symptoms.

"There's a growing amount of literature showing that abdominal
symptomatology is a common presentation for COVID-19," said Mitch Wilson,
a radiologist and clinical lecturer in the University of Alberta's
Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry.

The researchers, who also included Gavin Low, associate professor
of radiology and diagnostic imaging, and medical student Kevin Lui,
examined findings from 36 studies published through July 15 to reach
their conclusions.

In addition to gastrointestinal symptoms, they also determined potential
signs radiologists should look for while conducting abdominal imaging that could be evidence of COVID-19 infection. Those signs include inflammation
of the small and large bowel, air within the bowel wall (pneumatosis)
and bowel perforation (pneumoperitoneum). The signs are quite rare,
said the researchers, and could indicate patients with advanced disease.

"Seeing these things is not necessarily telling us a patient has
COVID-19," said Wilson. "It could be from a variety of potential
causes. But one of those potential causes is infection from the virus,
and in an environment where COVID-19 is very prevalent, it's something
to consider and potentially raise as a possibility to the referring
physician."

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by University_of_Alberta_Faculty_of_Medicine_&_Dentistry.

Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Kevin Lui, Mitchell P. Wilson, Gavin Low. Abdominal imaging
findings in
patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: a scoping review. Abdominal
Radiology, 2020; DOI: 10.1007/s00261-020-02739-5 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/11/201103104734.htm

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