Contribution of CT Features in the Diagnosis of COVID-19

Can Respir J. 2020 Nov 12:2020:1237418. doi: 10.1155/2020/1237418. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

The outbreak of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, and spread across the country and worldwide quickly. It has been defined as a major global health emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). As this is a novel virus, its diagnosis is crucial to clinical treatment and management. To date, real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been recognized as the diagnostic criterion for COVID-19. However, the results of RT-PCR can be complemented by the features obtained in chest computed tomography (CT). In this review, we aim to discuss the diagnosis and main CT features of patients with COVID-19 based on the results of the published literature, in order to enhance the understanding of COVID-19 and provide more detailed information regarding treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / diagnostic imaging*
  • COVID-19 Testing / methods*
  • Humans
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*