(5) Dissipation stage. This stage refers to the period roughly between 2 and 3 weeks after the onset of clinical manifestations. The range of lesions was further reduced. CT imaging showed patchy consolidation or strip-like opacity. As time goes on, it showed grid-like thickening of interlobular septum, thickening and strip-like twist of bronchial wall and a few scattered patchy consolidations (Fig. 10: 17 cases, 20.5% in a total of 83 cases).
Fig. 10 CT imaging of dissipation stage. A 79 years old female with intermittent fever. Laboratory test after 3 days of comprehensive treatment: decreased red blood cells (3.73 × 1012/L), hemoglobin (107 g/L), decreased hematocrit (31.8%), decreased lymphocytes percentage (13.9%), decreased lymphocytes (0.62 × 109/ L), decreased eosinophil count percentage (0%), decreased eosinophil count (0 × 109/L), increased alanine aminotransferase (46 U/L), deceased total protein (56.8 g/L), decreased albumin (33.5 g/L), normal C-reaction protein and procalcitonin. Imaging examination: a patchy ground-glass opacity and grid-like thickening of interlobular septa in the tongue-like segment of left upper lobe, and patchy consolidation in the posterior segment of right middle and lower lobe. b 9 days after admission to hospotial, CT scan showed absorption of lesions in the middle lobe, narrowing of lesions in the lower lobe of the right lung, and absorption of lesions in the tongue-like segment of left upper lobe which exhibited a cord-like change