Comprehensive Evaluation of Multimodality Imaging in SARS-CoV-2 Patients: A Review

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with its different symptoms has been widespread throughout the world for about two years and it has brought many deaths in different countries. Although the disease has been reported to target lung tissue as the first option but it can also cause damages in the heart and other tissues of the body. Many researches have been done on how to control and manage this pandemic to prevent further spread of this virus. There is always a percentage chance of error with RT-PCR test, when identifying the COVID-19, which was used as the first method of diagnosing the disease. In emergencies, low sensitivity of RT-PCR could lead to misdiagnosis of this virus. So, different imaging modalities can provide aid to detect the virus more precisely. So far, Radiology imaging especially Chest CT has played an important role in the process of recognizing the disease and in many cases, it has rushed to the aid of the healthcare staff for determining the stages and controlling of the disease. Although a number of countries have made good progress in the field of vaccines, it is very important for staff to know the advantages and disadvantages of each imaging modality in the disease assessment procedures, so that they can use them wisely to accelerate the elimination process of the disease. With this approach, this paper is an overview of various capabilities of different imaging modalities in the field of better management of SARS-CoV-2 disease.