Radiological manifestations of COVID-19 variants and their impact on patient management

Maram Mohammed Fawaz Alanazi; ‏‎‏Sarah Fahad Mohammed Almutairi; ‏Asma Hassan Jahaz Alharbi; ‏‎‏Maisa Yousef A Alghaylan; ‏‎‏Majed Saleh Mohammed Aljawhari; ‏Sarah Abdulbasit Ahmed; ‏Saba Mansour Alsubaie; ‏Abdulrahman Abdullah S Alkhulaifi

doi:10.53730/ijhs.v5nS2.14961

Authors

Maram Mohammed Fawaz Alanazi Speciality: Radiological Technology, ‏‎‏Job: MRI Technologist
‏‎‏Sarah Fahad Mohammed Almutairi Speciality: Radiological Technology, ‏‎‏Job: ECHO Technologist
‏Asma Hassan Jahaz Alharbi Speciality: Radiological Technology, ‏Job: Special procedures Technologist
‏‎‏Maisa Yousef A Alghaylan Speciality: Radiological Technology, ‏‎‏Job: CT technologist
‏‎‏Majed Saleh Mohammed Aljawhari Speciality: Radiological Technology, ‏‎‏Job: MRI Technologist
‏Sarah Abdulbasit Ahmed ‏Speciality: Nuclear Medicine, ‏Job: Nuclear Medicine Technologist
‏Saba Mansour Alsubaie Speciality: Nuclear Medicine, ‏Job: Nuclear Medicine Technologist
‏Abdulrahman Abdullah S Alkhulaifi Speciality: Radiological Technology, ‏Job: CT Technologist

Keywords:

Radiology, COVID-19, Chest radiography, Teleradiology, Virtual care

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the field of radiology, leading to changes in the utilization and application of various imaging modalities. Initially, chest computed tomography (CT) was widely employed for screening and diagnosing COVID-19. However, the current recommendation is to use CT primarily for high-risk patients, individuals with severe disease, or in regions where polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing is not widely accessible. Aim of Work: The aim of this research paper is to examine the evolving role of radiology, particularly chest radiography, in the management of COVID-19 patients, as well as to highlight the operational changes and technological advancements that have been implemented in the field of radiology during the pandemic. Methods: This research paper is a comprehensive review of the existing literature on the changing role of radiology in the COVID-19 pandemic. It synthesizes the available information on the utilization of various imaging modalities, such as chest radiography and CT, for the screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of COVID-19 patients. Additionally, it explores the operational changes and technological advancements that have been implemented in the field of radiology to address the challenges posed by the pandemic.

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