Document Type : Research Article
Abstract
Introduction:TheCOVID-19pandemichasrepeatedlyhittheplanetwithawaveofinfection.Clinicians are attempting to defend public health care ethics. Asymptomatic COVID-19 casesgounrecorded,andthemajorityofthemisolatethemselves.Significantradiologicalabnormalities have been discovered in RT-PCR positive asymptomatic COVID-19 cases,accordingto studies.
Objective:Thegoalofthiscross-sectionalstudyistoevaluateasymptomaticRT-PCR-positivepatients'chest CT findingsin oneof India's COVID-designatedinstitutions in a tertiary care centre in Bihar.
Methods: In three months, we did HRCT chest of diverse (200 patient case study) proved andprobableinstances of COVID-19 infection. All patients are underwent HRCT chest by multislice (128 slice) Toshiba CT scan (Aquilion) or 16 slice Toshiba CT scan. The following CT parameters were used: collimation 5mm; slice thickness, 0.5- 2.5 mm; reconstruction interval, 2.5 mm; table speed 13.5 mm per rotation; 150 -250 mA effective current; tube potential 120kVp; and matrix size, 512 x 512. the patient was examined in supine position with both arms extended above the head. All CT chest were taken in caudocranial direction, covering entire chest from diaphragmatic dome up to lung apex, without intravenous contrast administration. The image finally send to PACS for reporting.
Results: Positive HRCT chest results were detected in 196 of 200 scanned individuals withclinical complaints and suspicion, indicating clinical-radiological association and an accuracyof 98 percent. Based on positive RT-PCR data, the sensitivity of chest CT in suggestingCOVID-19was98.6%(146/148patients).90percent(18/20)ofpatientswithnegativeRTPCRresultsandsignificantclinicalsuspicionhadpositivechestCTfindings.
Conclusion:InlaboratorynegativeRT-PCRcaseswithstrongclinicalsuspicionofCOVID-19infection,HRCTchestisparticularly sensitive and accurate in detecting up lung parenchymal abnormalities, as well asin all symptomatic patients whose RT-PCR was not done. In patients with a strong clinicalsuspicion,HRCTcanbeexceedinglysensitive,cost-effective,andtime-effective.HRCT outperformsRT-PCRintermsofprovidingimmediateresults,measuringdiseaseseverity,andprognosisprediction.
InallpatientswithclinicalsymptomsandsuspicionofCOVIDinfection,regardlessoflaboratoryRT-PCRstatus,werecommendHRCTchestforidentificationofearlyparenchymalabnormalities and determining diseaseseverity.
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