Role of X-ray CT, Plain Radiography and Ultrasound Imaging in Diagnosing COVID-19: A Narrative Review

Role of Medical Imaging in Diagnosing COVID-19

Authors

  • Inayatullah Shah Sayed International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Pahang Malaysia
  • Nor Fitri Toh Man Hua International Islamic University Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31436/ijahs.v7i2.776

Abstract

Introduction: The world was shocked by the emergence of a new virus that caused severe infection of the respiratory system called SARS-CoV-2, commonly known as COVID-19. It is believed that RT-PCR is the primary diagnostic tool used in tandem to determine the status of someone suspected of having COVID-19. However, RT-PCR gives significant false-negative results, showing the need for additional diagnostic measures. Therefore, other diagnostic tools such as plain radiography, X-ray CT, and ultrasound (POCUS) have been considered to be used in the approach of diagnosing COVID-19 in conjunction with the RT-PCR test. This review paper aimed to investigate the importance of medical imaging modalities like X-ray CT, plain radiography, and ultrasound imaging in diagnosing COVID-19. Methods: A large number of articles have been published about the various tools to investigate the status of COVID-19 infection, including the imaging modalities. The search criteria for this review include articles and reports published recently on diagnostic imaging specialties for the detection of COVID-19. Various databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Mendeley were used. Results: These modalities have different diagnostic accuracy to diagnose the presence of COVID-19 with the higher sensitivity of X-ray CT, plain radiography, and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) imaging in a descending manner. Even though medical imaging methods are helpful for COVID-19 screening, the virus is typically not detectable in its early stages. Conclusion: The imaging methods should not be used as a stand-alone method to determine if a person has COVID-19 or not; rather, they should only be used for follow-up.

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Author Biographies

Inayatullah Shah Sayed, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuantan Campus, Pahang Malaysia

PhD Medical Physics

Nor Fitri Toh Man Hua, International Islamic University Malaysia

Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

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Published

2023-08-11

How to Cite

Sayed, I. S., & Toh Man Hua, N. F. (2023). Role of X-ray CT, Plain Radiography and Ultrasound Imaging in Diagnosing COVID-19: A Narrative Review: Role of Medical Imaging in Diagnosing COVID-19. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES, 7(2), 2933–2944. https://doi.org/10.31436/ijahs.v7i2.776

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Section

Review Articles

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