Diagnostic efficacy and radiation safety of Low Dose CT protocol in COVID-19 pandemic: An alternative for deficient RT-PCR

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 faculty of medicine, Kafrelsheikh university

2 faculty of medicine , Kafrelshiekh university

Abstract

Aim of work: In this study, we aim to assess the diagnostic capability of low-dose CT chest for detection and follow-up of COVID-19 pneumonia to enhance radiation protection and ensure patient safety when RT-PCR is not available.
Patients and Methods: This prospective study was approved by the local ethics committee and informed consent was obtained. 86 patients were enrolled in this study with suspected COVID 19 infection. Non-contrast CT scan of the chest was done using a 320 multidetector CT machine. Low dose and standard dose techniques were done. Two experienced radiologists analyzed the imaging findings and give CORADS classification for each case blindly to each other.
Results: The study involved 86 patients. 52 were scanned with low dose technique there were 34 men (65.4 %) and 18 women (34.6 %). 34 were scanned with standard technique there were 14 men (41.2 %) and 20 women (58.8 %). There was a statistically significant difference between low and standard-dose groups regarding CTDI volume, DLP, and radiation exposure (p =

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