Does a CT scan have a place in the diagnosis of COVID-19?

A CT scan has its place in the diagnosis of COVID-19, but it is not used as the primary diagnostic method.

CT scans can be used to assess the severity of lung infection, especially in patients with severe symptoms. They can help visualize the extent of lung damage and inflammation. COVID-19 patients often show typical patterns on CT scan, such as bilateral ground glass opacities (GGO) and consolidations, especially in the peripheral and posterior lungs. These findings can be suggestive of COVID-19, but are not specific enough to be used as the sole diagnostic method.

A CT scan can help differentiate COVID-19 from other lung conditions such as bacterial pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, or other viral infections, especially in cases where the clinical presentation is unclear.

The gold standard for diagnosing COVID-19 remains the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA. CT scans are usually used in addition to PCR testing, especially when there is a discrepancy between clinical symptoms and test results, or when rapid diagnosis and assessment of lung involvement is needed.

CT scans have their place in the diagnosis and management of COVID-19, especially for assessing disease severity and differentiating from other conditions. However, due to their limitations and the risks of radiation exposure, they are not a substitute for PCR testing.

Source: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/use-of-chest-imaging-in-covid-19

Author: Prof. Dr. Dirk Devroey - Latest update: 2021-12-09 - Copyright: Clinifacts 2024