OBJECTIVE: To report the computed tomography (CT) features of acute cerebrovascular complications in severely ill patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the intensive care unit.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 29 intensive care unit patients with confirmed COVID-19 who underwent CT of the brain. We describe the CT features of the cerebrovascular complications of COVID-19, as well the demographic characteristics and clinical features, together with the results of laboratory tests, such as complete blood cell count, coagulation testing, renal function testing, and C-reactive protein assay.
RESULTS: Two patients were excluded because of brain death. Among the remaining 27 patients, CT revealed acute cerebrovascular complications in six (three men and three women; 49–81 years of age), whereas no such complications were seen in 21 (15 men and six women; 36–82 years of age).
CONCLUSION: Radiologists should be aware of the risks of cerebrovascular complications of COVID-19 and the potential underlying etiologies. COVID-19–associated coagulopathy is likely multifactorial and may increase the risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic infarction.
Keywords: Coronavirus infections/complications; Cerebrovascular disorders; Blood coagulation disorders; Tomography, X-ray computed.