ROLE OF HRCT CHEST AS PRIMARY INVESTIGATION TO SCREEN SYMPTOMATIC PRIMARY CONTACTS OF COVID-19
European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine,
2022, Volume 9, Issue 3, Pages 11430-11435
Abstract
Background: Chest diagnostic imaging has a primary relevance in the diagnosis and severity assessment of COVID-19 together with clinical manifestations. The present study was conducted to assess HRCT chest to screen symptomatic primary contacts of COVID-19.Materials & Methods: 48symptomatic primary contacts ofCOVID 19 patientsof both genders were enrolled. All underwent both chest CT imaging and laboratory virus nucleic acid test (RT-PCR assay with Nasopharyngeal swab samples).
Results: Out of 48 patients, males were 28 and females were 20. Breathlessness was present in 12, cough in 32, fever in 26, diarrhoea in 7, sore throat in 13, bronchial asthma in 8 and diabetes in 4 cases. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). The time interval between chest CT scan and RT PCR assay was 2.1 days. Results of RT PCR assay was positive in 30 days and negative in 18 days. Chest CT showed consistent with viral pneumonia (positive) in 40 cases and no CT findings of viral pneumonia in 8 cases. It showed consolidation in 12, ground glass opacityin 24 and reticulation/thickened interlobular septa in 4 cases. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: Chest CT should be considered for the COVID-19 screening, symptomatic primary contacts of COVID 19 in epidemic areas particularly where access to RT PCR testing is difficult.
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