Radiological and clinical spectrum of COVID-19: A major concern for public health

Abstract

The pandemic of novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by +ve strand RNA virus (SARS-CoV-2, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) that belongs to the corona viridae family. In March, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of novel coronavirus for the public health emergency. Although SARS-CoV-2 infection presents with respiratory symptoms, it affects other organs such as the kidneys, liver, heart and brain. Early-stage laboratory disease testing shows many false positive or negative outcomes such as less white blood cell count and a low number of lymphocyte count. However, radiological examination and diagnosis are among the main components of the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. In particular, for COVID-19, chest computed tomography developed vigorous initial diagnosis and disease progression assessment. However, the accuracy is limited. Although real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction is the gold standard method for the diagnosis of COVID-19, sometimes it may give false-negative results. Due to the consequences of the missing diagnosis. This resulted in a discrepancy between the two means of examination. Conversely, based on currently available evidence, we summarized the possible understanding of the various patho-physiology, radio diagnostic methods in severe COVID-19 patients. As the information on COVID-19 evolves rapidly, this review will provide vital information for scientists and clinicians to consider novel perceptions for the comprehensive knowledge of the diagnostic approaches based on current experience.

Keywords: COVID-19; Diagnosis; Therapeutic; Radio diagnostics; Imaging

Core Tip: Computed tomography has played an important auxiliary role in diagnosing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with higher sensitivity but lower specificity. Ground glass opacities pattern is the most common finding in COVID-19 infections. Recognizing the manifestations of COVID-19 on chest X-ray may be used as first-line imaging in hospitals, especially in high prevalence areas. COVID-19 classically appears as a bilateral, peripheral and patchy consolidation on imaging. It is important to remember that there may be no radiological changes in positive COVID-19 patients. In this perspective, a diagnosis of real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction is needed.