PATTERNS OF CHEST COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY FINDINGS IN COVID-19 PATIENTS IN PORT HARCOURT RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA

Background: The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is usually under diagnosed in resource-constrained countries as Africa. Although Real-time-reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing is considered to be the gold standard tool to diagnose or screen for COVID-19, chest imaging is a valuable tool to support the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. Therefore, Radiologists usually play an important role in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia, especially in resource-constrained environments. This study aimed to evaluate the patterns of chest CT findings in covid-19 pneumonia and to emphasize its diagnostic value in coronavirus disease.

Materials and Method: This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted in a reputable diagnostic center in Port Harcourt and comprised of 13 chest CT images diagnosed of Covid-19 pneumonia that met the inclusion criteria set for this study. All the chest CT examinations were performed by registered radiographers on a 64-slice CT scanner (GE Optima CT660, GE medical systems). Results: Chest CT findings in patients with confirmed covid-19 infection was evaluated and the results revealed that 13 (100%) had GGO. Out of 13 patients with GGO, bilateral distribution of the opacities was found in 11(84.62%), followed by peripheral opacities 9(69%) and the least 2 (15.38%) was unilateral distribution.

Conclusion: The commonest chest CT appearance of covid-19 pneumonia is bilateral GGO with a predilection for the lower lobes of the lungs. Radiologists and clinicians should take cognizance of imaging appearances and diagnostic capabilities of Chest CT in covid-19 pneumonia, especially in the context of the current pandemic.