Role of Chest Computed Tomography in Patients with COVID-19 for Triaging

Abstract

Background: Coronavirus is detected utilising radiological images obtained by a simple scanning technique, such as computed tomography (CT). The current study looked at how chest CT changed during hospitalisation to better understand and diagnose COVID-19.Aim: To see if a chest CT scan could help in COVID-19 patients with limited PCR diagnostic capabilities, early isolation, contact tracing, and therapy. Also to find the association of COVID-19 mortality with High aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels.Method: The current study included 40 COVID-19 patients from Morgan Hospital Hilla. Two certified radiologists independently obtained and evaluated CT scans for 40 COVID-19 patients, and their findings were presented in Hillah city only referral hospital approved by the government to admit COVID-19 patients. Blood tests of COVID-19 people were examined for ALT (SGOT) and AST (SGPT) to evaluate how much damage they had to their livers.Results: The percentages tree in bud, LAP, pleural elusion, crazy paving and honeycombing were present in lower percentage (4, 10%; 4, 10%; 6, 15%; 6, 15%; 2, 5% respectively), while, bilateral involvement and multiple lesions were found with higher percentage (32, 80%; 36, 90% respectively). Consolidations and GGO appeared with median percentage (12, 30%; 20, 50%) respectively. 12 patients were shown high level in SGOT (30%). 6 (15%) patients with SGPT were showed median percentage, and only 4 (10%) patients have increased alkaline phosphate.Conclusion: We conclude that chest CT scan may aid in the identification and triage of suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in cities with limited PCR diagnostic capabilities.