Introduction

As the SARSCOv2 virus has an extremely high pulmonary tropism, the number of CTscans has increased significantly since the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic. The indirect consequence of this increase in the number of CT scans has been the incidental discovery of lung tumours.

Aim

This study was to retrospectively analyze the characteristics and management of these incidentally diagnosed tumours during the 5 waves of this pandemic.

Method

We reviewed the records of patients presenting with SARSCOv2 pulmonary infection between March, 2020 and December, 2021 at the Victor Dupouy Hospital in Argenteuil. Among this population, we analyzed the characteristics of patients in whom a pulmonary bronchial tumour was detected thanks to the thoracic scanner performed in a context of pneumopathy associated with a COVID19.

Results

Over the study period, 2651 patients underwent chest CT scan in the setting of SARSCOv2 respiratory infection. In 11 patients (0.41%), a lung tumour was found in the form of mixed nodules in 6 cases, solid nodules in 4 cases and ground glass nodules in 1 case. Further investigations classified these tumours as stage I (n=7), stage II (n=1), stage IIIa (n=1), stage IV (n=2) non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). The representing 3.2% of lung resections performed for NSCLC during the same period. The procedures performed were lobectomy (n=6), post-chemotherapy sleeve  lobectomy (n=1), bilobectomy (n=1), segmentectomy (n=1). Post operative course  was marked by a complication in 3 cases.

Conclusion

Thoracic investigations in the context of COVID 19 lung disease finally led to the detection of NSCLC in 0.4% of patients, mostly at an early stage.