Abstract
ObjectivesTo evaluate the impact of COVID-19’s lockdown on radiological examinations in emergency services.MethodsRetrospective, multicentre analysis of radiological examinations requested, via our teleradiology network, from 2017 to 2020 during two timeframes (calendar weeks 5–8 and then 12–15). We included CT scans or MRIs performed for strokes, multiple traumas (Body-CT), cranial traumas (CTr) and acute non-traumatic abdominal pain (ANTAP). We evaluated the number and percentages of examinations performed, of those with a pathological conclusion, and of examinations involving the chest.ResultsOur study included 25 centres in 2017, 29 in 2018, 43 in 2019 and 59 in 2020. From 2017 to 2019, the percentages of examinations were constant, which was also true for chest CTs. Each centre’s number of examinations, gender distribution and patient ages were unchanged. In 2020, examinations significantly decreased: suspected strokes decreased by 36% (1052 vs 675, p < 0.001), Body-CT by 62% (349 vs 134, p < 0.001), CTr by 52% (1853 vs 895, p < 0.001) and for ANTAP, appendicitis decreased by 38% (45 vs 90, not statistically significant (NS)) sigmoiditis by 44% (98 vs 55, NS), and renal colic by 23% (376 vs 288, NS). The number of examinations per centre decreased by 13% (185.5 vs 162.5, p < 0.001), whereas the number of examinations of the "chest" region increased by 170% (1205 vs 3766, p < 0.001).ConclusionTeleradiology enabled us to monitor the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic management on emergency activities, showing a global decrease in the population's use of care.
Highlights
The coronavirus epidemic appeared on November 17, 2019 in the city of Wuhan (Hubei province) in China
Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
Many sick patients (stroke, appendicitis, renal colic, and Vatele et al Insights Imaging (2021) 12:30 sigmoiditis) did not consult the emergency department services, which suggests a decrease in the use of care by the population
Summary
The coronavirus epidemic appeared on November 17, 2019 in the city of Wuhan (Hubei province) in China. The virus quickly spread around the world, with Europe being impacted at the outset of the pandemic. The first cases were recorded in France as of January 24, 2020. Barrier measures were settled to prevent exponential spread. The French population’s lockdown was decreed on March 17, 2020, and continued until May 11, 2020. In part, to avoid overloading the health care system, especially in intensive care. The dramatic decrease in travel and other activities resulted in significant life style changes in the French population
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