Imaging of the head and neck during the COVID19 pandemic

Oper Tech Otolayngol Head Neck Surg. 2022 Jun;33(2):147-157. doi: 10.1016/j.otot.2022.04.011. Epub 2022 Apr 28.

Abstract

There is a wide spectrum of clinical manifestation of COVID-19 in the head and neck, but often these do not have an imaging correlate. This review will highlight the most common imaging features of COVID-19 in the head and neck that can be seen on routine head and neck CT and MRI. In addition, situations where a more dedicated imaging protocol is required will be highlighted. Finally, as mass vaccination efforts are underway worldwide, post vaccination imaging can often complicate cancer surveillance imaging. Post vaccination imaging features and recommendations will be discussed.

Keywords: Computed tomography (CT); Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); Head and Neck; Imaging; Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).