Role of CT Imaging for the Management of COVID-19

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the role of high-resolution Computer tomography imaging in the management of COVID-19.

Study design: Prospective study

Place and duration of study: Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi from 1^st December 2021 to 31^st May 2022.

Methodology: One hundred patients suspected to be suffering from COVID-19 were enrolled. All patients underwent Reverse transcriptase-based polymerase chain reaction tests (RT-PCR). The patients were divided into positive or negative depending upon their test results. A high-resolution computed tomography scan was followed in every patient and the results were compared with the reverse transcriptase-based polymerase chain reaction tests findings. The sensitivity and Specificity of the CT scan test were assessed.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 59±6.5 years. There were 60 (60%) male and 40 (40%) female patients. Around 58% of the patients were found as positive on PCR while 42% were negative. There 75% of the cases were positive for novel coronavirus on high-resolution computed tomography scan while only 25% were negative.

Conclusion: Chest HRCT-scan proved to be a better and more sensitive tool for the diagnosis of novel coronavirus and can be considered as an alternative screening tool for COVID-19 confirmation.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, Severity, Pulmonary, CT-scan, Serotype