COVID-19 Disease May Change Subcarinal Angle

Introduction: Evaluation of the severity of the disease in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is important. Chest radiogram and computed tomography are suitable tools for inspecting structural changes in the lung parenchyma. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between subcarinal angles (SCAs) of the left and the right main bronchi and tomography severity score (TSS) and changes in SCA after recovery, assessed with computed tomogra-phy among patients with COVID-19.

Methods: This retrospective observational study was conducted between March 2020 and January 2021. A poly-merase chain reaction test was used to diagnose COVID-19. All participants were examined with thorax computed tomography both in acute disease episode and 6 months after recovery. SCA of right and left main bronchi and TSS and changes in SCA values after recovery were compared.

Results: The mean of SCA measurements in COVID-19 acute episode was 74.76±12.94 degrees, while it was found to be increased to 82.83±14.09 degrees (p=0.011) 6 months after recovery. There was no association between SCAs of total, right, and left main bronchi and TSS (r=-0.046 and p=0.784, r=-0.024 and p=0.887, and r=-0.056 and p=0.739, respectively). While TSSs were similar between both genders, SCA values were found to be higher in females. The most frequently involved lung lobe was the right lower lobe.

Discussion and Conclusion: SCA values were higher in patients at 6th month after recovery from COVID-19. Due to this finding, it may be proposed that parenchymal changes in lung tissue are long-lasting and may be persistent after recovery from COVID-19.

Keywords: COVID-19; Subcarinal angle; Computed tomography; Severity score