Role of CT scan thorax in nCovid19—a case-based review
Abstract Background Most of the morbidity and mortality in nCovid19 is due to pneumonia which can be reduced by early diagnosis and treatment. Chest CT scan plays an important role in the early diagnosis and management of respiratory complications due to nCovid19. Clinicians should be aware about th...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2021-06-01
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| Series: | The Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-021-00528-8 |
| _version_ | 1819066613981249536 |
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| author | Vishnu sharma Moleyar Anupama Noojibail Nagaraj shetty I Harsha D S Nithish Bhandary M |
| author_facet | Vishnu sharma Moleyar Anupama Noojibail Nagaraj shetty I Harsha D S Nithish Bhandary M |
| author_sort | Vishnu sharma Moleyar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Most of the morbidity and mortality in nCovid19 is due to pneumonia which can be reduced by early diagnosis and treatment. Chest CT scan plays an important role in the early diagnosis and management of respiratory complications due to nCovid19. Clinicians should be aware about the indications for the CT scan of the thorax, timing of investigation, and limitations of CT. Main body of abstract Chest CT scan is indicated in patients with moderate to severe respiratory symptoms and pretest probability of nCovid19 infection, when RT-PCR test results are negative, and in patients for whom an RT-PCR test is not performed or not readily available. When a rapid antigen test is negative and an RT-PCR test report takes time, CT can be used in seriously ill patients to decide whether it is COVID or not. For patients who are dependent on oxygen even after 2 weeks, CT may help to show the extent of lung involvement and predict long-term prognosis. CT may be done to exclude nCovid19 pneumonia. For patients with high risk for nCovid19 who require an immediate diagnosis to rule out lung involvement, CT can be done. A normal CT excludes nCovid19 pneumonia. CT scan is required in confirmed cases of nCovid19 pneumonia when complications are suspected clinically. These include pulmonary thromboembolism, pneumothorax, mediastinal/surgical emphysema, bacterial pneumonia, and unexplained deterioration with new shadows in chest X-ray. CT pulmonary angiogram is indicated when pulmonary embolism is suspected, and in other cases, plain CT should be done. In pre-operative cases where emergency surgery is required, nCovid19 disease is suspected clinically, and RT-PCR report awaited or not available, CT thorax can be done. Conclusion CT scan is useful for early diagnosis of lung involvement, detection complications, triaging of cases, risk stratification, and preoperative evaluation in select cases. CT scan should be done only when there is a definite indication so to reduce radiation hazards and to reduce health care expenditure. Normal CT excludes nCovid19 lung involvement, but the patient may have upper respiratory involvement which may progress later to involve lungs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T16:05:09Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6a82172c899c4480b23c06147746f65a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2090-4762 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T16:05:09Z |
| publishDate | 2021-06-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-6a82172c899c4480b23c06147746f65a2022-12-21T18:57:54ZengSpringerOpenThe Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine2090-47622021-06-0152111010.1186/s43055-021-00528-8Role of CT scan thorax in nCovid19—a case-based reviewVishnu sharma Moleyar0Anupama Noojibail1Nagaraj shetty I2Harsha D S3Nithish Bhandary M4Respiratory Medicine, A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences & Research CentreDepartment of Physiology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, Manipal Academy of Higher EducationInternal Medicine, A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences & Research CentreRespiratory Medicine, A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences & Research CentreInternal Medicine, A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences & Research CentreAbstract Background Most of the morbidity and mortality in nCovid19 is due to pneumonia which can be reduced by early diagnosis and treatment. Chest CT scan plays an important role in the early diagnosis and management of respiratory complications due to nCovid19. Clinicians should be aware about the indications for the CT scan of the thorax, timing of investigation, and limitations of CT. Main body of abstract Chest CT scan is indicated in patients with moderate to severe respiratory symptoms and pretest probability of nCovid19 infection, when RT-PCR test results are negative, and in patients for whom an RT-PCR test is not performed or not readily available. When a rapid antigen test is negative and an RT-PCR test report takes time, CT can be used in seriously ill patients to decide whether it is COVID or not. For patients who are dependent on oxygen even after 2 weeks, CT may help to show the extent of lung involvement and predict long-term prognosis. CT may be done to exclude nCovid19 pneumonia. For patients with high risk for nCovid19 who require an immediate diagnosis to rule out lung involvement, CT can be done. A normal CT excludes nCovid19 pneumonia. CT scan is required in confirmed cases of nCovid19 pneumonia when complications are suspected clinically. These include pulmonary thromboembolism, pneumothorax, mediastinal/surgical emphysema, bacterial pneumonia, and unexplained deterioration with new shadows in chest X-ray. CT pulmonary angiogram is indicated when pulmonary embolism is suspected, and in other cases, plain CT should be done. In pre-operative cases where emergency surgery is required, nCovid19 disease is suspected clinically, and RT-PCR report awaited or not available, CT thorax can be done. Conclusion CT scan is useful for early diagnosis of lung involvement, detection complications, triaging of cases, risk stratification, and preoperative evaluation in select cases. CT scan should be done only when there is a definite indication so to reduce radiation hazards and to reduce health care expenditure. Normal CT excludes nCovid19 lung involvement, but the patient may have upper respiratory involvement which may progress later to involve lungs.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-021-00528-8Role of CT scan thoraxnCovid19Viral bronchopneumonia |
| spellingShingle | Vishnu sharma Moleyar Anupama Noojibail Nagaraj shetty I Harsha D S Nithish Bhandary M Role of CT scan thorax in nCovid19—a case-based review The Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine Role of CT scan thorax nCovid19 Viral bronchopneumonia |
| title | Role of CT scan thorax in nCovid19—a case-based review |
| title_full | Role of CT scan thorax in nCovid19—a case-based review |
| title_fullStr | Role of CT scan thorax in nCovid19—a case-based review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Role of CT scan thorax in nCovid19—a case-based review |
| title_short | Role of CT scan thorax in nCovid19—a case-based review |
| title_sort | role of ct scan thorax in ncovid19 a case based review |
| topic | Role of CT scan thorax nCovid19 Viral bronchopneumonia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43055-021-00528-8 |
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