Frequency of incidental findings of COVID 19 pneumonia on CT scan chest in patients undergoing CT imaging for some other indications.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of incidental findings of COVID 19 pneumonia on CT scan chest in patients undergoing CT imaging for some other indications. Study Design: Descriptive, Cross sectional study. Setting: Department of Radiology, Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. Period: 4^th August 2021 to 3^rd February 2022. Methods: A total of 100 patients referred to radiology department for CT scan chest, individuals ranging from 15 to 65 years old, encompassing both male and female genders were included. Individuals with symptoms of COVID-19 and CRF were excluded. After taking informed consent, demographic features like age, gender, BMI, smoking (yes/no) were noted. Subsequently, all patients underwent a chest CT scan, revealing the inadvertent discovery of COVID-19 pneumonia. Results: In my study, frequency of incidental findings of COVID-19 pneumonia on chest CT scans among individuals undergoing CT imaging were consolidation (55.0%), ground glass opacities (80.0%), reticular pattern (47.0%) and air bronchograms (41.0%). Conclusion: This study concluded that ground glass opacities and consolidation are the commonest incidental observations of COVID-19 pneumonia on chest CT scans.