High Resolution CT Scan Of Lungs In Covid-19: Our Experience In 200 Patients

Abstract

Background:The standard of reference for confirming COVID-19 relies on microbiological tests such as real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or sequencing. Computed tomography (CT) can be used as an important complement to RTPCR for diagnosing COVID-19 pneumonia in the current epidemic context. Hence; the present study was undertaken for assessing lung parenchymal findings in high resolution CT scan of lungs in COVID 19 patients.Materials & methods:200 cases were included in the present study that were symptomatic and in which diagnosis of COVID-19 infection was confirmed by RT-PCR. Complete demographic details of all the patients were obtained. All patients underwent HRCT scanning of the thorax in the supine position during end-inspiration. A Performa was made and CT findings were recorded separately. All the results were recorded in Microsoft excel sheet and were analysed by SPSS software.Results: Mean age of the patients was 58.7 years. Majority of the subjects belonged to the age group of more than 50 years. 58.5% of the patients were males while the 41.5% were females. Left lung involvement occurred in 20.5% of the patients while right lung involvement occurred in 43 percent of the patients. Bilateral lung involvement occurred in 36.5 percent of the patients. Ground glass opacities were seen in 91.5 percent of the patients.Conclusion: Ground glass opacities are the typical CT presentation in COVID patients.