Role of ultra-low dose computed tomography (CT) in COVID-19 suspected patients: A cross sectional study

Abstract

Background: This study aims to evaluate the accuracy of ultra-low-dose CT in detecting COVID 19 related chest findings in COVID 19 suspected patients. Materials and Methods: 106 COVID 19 infection suspected patients who are referred for HRCT chest screening, were evaluated by CT using 128 slice CT scanner (Wipro GE Optima 660). Ultra low dose CT with kv 120 & mA 10 was used. The Ground glass opacities and consolidations will be assessed in every lobe and the severity and grading will be done. CT severity score -in this both lungs are divided into five lobes, and each lobe was assessed individually. Each lobe could be awarded a CT score from 0 to 5, depending on the percentage of the involved lobe. All the values of each lobe is added and graded as mild (0-8), moderate (8-15) and severe (15-25). Then we will correlate the ultra low dose CT findings with RT-PCR results. Results: Among the study population with RT-PCR positive, 67 (85.9%) of them ground glass opacity was present and 11 (14.1%) of them absent. The difference in proportion of Ground glass opacity between RT-PCR was statistically significant (p value <0.001). Conclusion: It was observed that the ULD-CT images could detect Covid 19 related lung lesions in patients with suspected Covid 19 infection. Routine chest CT protocol can be replaced by ULD-CT with significant dose reduction, to detect lung lesions for COVID-19 diagnosis and follow-up. ULD-CT plays a pivotal role in assisting physicians in the management plan & works as an indicator for disease severity & possible outcome.