WVXU: COVID-19, lung and brain images and stroke risk

University of Cincinnati researchers say for the first time they have a visual correlation between the severity of COVID-19 in the lungs and the effect on patients' brains. This early indicator could be key in preventing such neurological problems, like stroke.

Lead author of the recent study Abdelkader Mahammedi, MD, assistant professor of radiology at the University of Cincinnati and a UC Health neuroradiologist says, "We came out with a scoring system in the lungs where the idea is to score the severity of the lung disease. And based on the severity of the CT scan, we can help physicians predict the prevalence of the abnormality in the brain."

How much time is there before patients possibly suffer a stroke or some other neurological problem?

Mahammedi says there is some variation. "Typically six to eleven days when you have the likelihood of having some complication in the brain," he says.

He led the trial with Achala Vagal, MD, professor and vice chair of research in the department of radiology.

Listen to the full WVXU, 91.7 FM story.

Read more about the study.

The study was also featured in a Local 12 news story. Trade publications Radiology Business and Diagnostic Imaging also reported on this study.

Featured photo of CT machine by Colleen Kelley.