THE ROLE OF CHEST X-RAY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF COVID-19

Abstract

Objective: To assess the knowledge of imaging Technicians on the role of chest X-ray in the Management of COVID-19 and to assess the extent to Which COVID-19 has affected the lungs, using chest X-ray, for better management.

Materials and method: The material used was questionnaires and the method of data collection was the convenient Sampling Technique, retrospectively.

Results: Among the 50 Samples, 20 (40%) of the patients presented positive with a mildly severe extent to which it has affected the lungs, after management. 15 patients (30%) presented positive with a moderately severe extent, after 1 routine checkup and 15 patients (30%) presented negative.

Conclusions: Not all technicians know the role x-ray play in the management of COVID-19. Chest x-ray can be used to know the extent to which COVID-19 has affected the lungs, for better management. Chest x-ray is a valuable baseline radiological confirmed Covid-19, as it helps to monitor the progression and regression of the disease in conjunction with clinical findings. Therefore, chest x-ray plays an important role in the management of C0VID-19.

CHAPTER ONE
GENERAL INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

In 2020, the world experienced the biggest healthcare crisis in modern history as a very contagious novel corona virus caused a pandemic. Recent literature has reported that features of corona virus disease (covid-19) patients are influenced by computed tomography and this study is aimed to assess the characteristic chest X-ray features of COVID-19 and correlate them with clinical outcomes of patients. The WORLD Health Organization coined the term corona virus disease (covid-19) on February 11, 2020 and declared it to be a pandemic on March 12, 2020.

According to (WHO), corona virus disease (covid-19) is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-COV-2 virus and it affects the respiratory tract that is the airway that includes your mouth, nose, throat and lungs. Corona virus disease pandemic has posed a major health crisis all over the world and the role of chest x-ray has evolved during the pandemic paralleling the accumulation of scientific evidence (Shohei Inui et Al, 2021). Covid-19 was first discovered in Wuhan, China on December 31 2019 (WHO).

The first case of corona virus in Africa was discovered in Egypt, on February 14 2020 by the minister of health and Population in Egypt, Dr. Hala Zayed(Dr Nkengasong, 2020). In Cameroon, the first case of covid-19 was discovered on February 24 2020 and the case was a 58-year-old French citizen who arrived in the capital Yaounde (Felix Tih, March 2020) and as at November 30 2020, there were 107,000 total number of cases with 1,791 deaths in Cameroon and in the world, the first case of the disease was discovered in the Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019 and as at December 1, 2021 there are 263,000,000 with 5.22,000,000 deaths worldwide.

The emergence of this new pandemic forces us to define the role of chest imaging in the management of patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 (Felipe Castillo A. et al, March, 2020).

The chest X-ray is an important diagnostic tool in the detection and management of COVID-19, as it is a useful tool to monitor the progression and regression of lung changes (Anirudh Kohli et al 2021). On chest X-ray, changes maybe ground-glass opacities, horizontal linear opacities or consolidation. (Richa Tiwari. et al, 2021). After using the real time reverse transcription polymerase reaction (RT-PCR) of viral nucleic acid for diagnosis, a correlation on a chest radiograph (chest X-ray) would be more definite for management of COVID-19 (Satyanand Sathi et al 2021). Progression and regression of findings in serial chest X-ray were studied and evaluated with the clinical and laboratory parameters and chest X-ray was examined for findings of haziness patterns and distribution (Anirudh Kohli et Al 2021).

In the retrospective study of patients in Hong Kong with covid-19 common abnormalities on chest X-ray when present included consolidation (30 of 64 patients; 47%) and ground-glass opacities (33%).

Chest X-ray is ready and widely available making it possible to use in all clinical settings. It is also less resource intensive, is achieved with lower radiation doses, it is easier to repeat and can performed with portable equipment at the point of care, thus minimizing the risk of cross infection that is related to patient transport. Chest X-ray sensitivity depends on two factors which are symptom severity and disease stage (Shohei Inui et al 2021).

Studies have shown that COVID-19 is often more severe in people who are 60+ years or With health conditions liker lung or heart disease diabetes or conditions that affects their immune system.

1.2 Statement of Problem

It was evident that the incidence of COCVID-19 was increasing with increase in death rate. Chest imaging is useful in assessing the extent to which covid-19 has spread to lung tissues. Therefore, this study is aimed at assessing the role of chest x-ray in the management of covi-19.

The World Health Organization (WHO) is putting in place measures for the prevention and better management of the COVID-19 disease with the early diagnosis using the chest X-ray being the top management strategy.

Therefore the purpose for this research is to investigate the role of chest X-ray in the management of covid-19.

1.3 Research Questions

1.3.1 General Research Questions

What is the role of Chest x-ray in the management of COVID-19?

1.3.2 Specific Research Questions

What is the role of chest x-ray in the management of COVID-19?
What knowledge do physicians or Clinicians have on the role of chest X-rays in the management of covid-19?
What are the preventive measures taken by technicians during chest x-ray on a covid-19 patient?