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

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 =